The IW545113 is a hand-wound IWC Portuguese reference with a slim case, Arabic numerals, and a small seconds subdial. A fake IW545113 is a replica of that model, built to copy the look at a fraction of the real price. Quality ranges from a cheap quartz copy you can spot across a table to a hand-wound build that survives a casual glance.
What has to be copied on this watch?
Most of the money in a replica goes into three parts: the case, the dial, and the movement. This is a dress watch, so thinness and dial finish decide whether it reads as real.
- Case: steel, thin bezel, polished flanks, and lugs that curve down to the strap.
- Dial: applied numerals, a printed minute track, a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock, and a signed crown.
- Movement: hand-wound, so the watch runs only when you wind it.
A quartz movement inside a hand-wound model is the biggest tell of all. Check that before anything else.
What are the quality tiers for a fake IW545113?
Prices move with the seller, but the market sits in three bands. Each band fixes a different set of flaws, and the jump in quality between them is large.
Entry tier (about $80 to $150)
- Quartz movement, so the small seconds ticks one step at a time instead of sweeping.
- Stamped dial with painted numerals and a flat finish that catches light in patches.
- Sharp case edges, thin plating on the crown, and a strap that cracks in weeks.
Mid tier (about $180 to $300)
- Asian automatic or a basic hand-wound clone, with a subdial that works.
- Better dial printing, applied markers, and sapphire crystal on some builds.
- Case shape close to the source, though lug curves and crown profile often miss.
High tier (about $350 and up)
- Hand-wound clone movement with decorated bridges and a smooth winding feel.
- 316L steel case, correct thickness, and anti-reflective sapphire.
- Dial details that hold up under a loupe, though engraving depth and font weight still vary.
Two watches in the same tier can differ by a lot. Seller photos show the best sample, not the unit you receive.
How do you check a fake IW545113 before paying?
- Ask for a video of the watch running, with the crown pulled and pushed back in.
- Get the movement type in writing. Hand-wound is not the same as automatic.
- Watch the small seconds. It should sweep several beats per second, not jump once per second.
- Confirm case diameter and thickness. A listing that says 40 mm when the model is 44 mm is a different watch.
- Look at the crown and lugs from the side. Straight lugs and cloudy polishing show up on cheap builds.
- Ask about the return window and pay with a method that gives buyer protection.
Which movement is inside?
Three movement families show up in this reference. Knowing which one you are offered tells you the price you should pay.
- Quartz: cheap, accurate, and wrong in feel. No winding, no rotor noise, and the subdial is often decorative.
- Automatic clone: winds from wrist motion, so it never matches a hand-wound original. The case back is often thicker to hide the rotor.
- Hand-wound clone: closest to the source. Thinner case, correct crown, and the only type worth a high-tier price.
What are the risks of buying a fake IW545113?
Trademark law in the US and the EU treats these watches as counterfeit goods. Customs can seize a shipment, and you have no legal route to get the money back.
- No warranty, no service network, and few watchmakers who will touch a clone movement.
- Resale value near zero. Replica forums trade them, but prices fall fast.
- Water resistance claims that no one tested. Keep any replica away from water.
- Bait and switch: photos of a high-tier build, delivery of an entry-tier one.
Buyers carry all the risk in this category. Treat the purchase as a costume piece, not an investment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fake IW545113 worth buying?
It depends on the goal. For the look on a night out, a mid-tier build does that job. For a watch you plan to keep for years or pass on, a replica is the wrong buy at any price.
Can a jeweler or watchmaker tell a fake IW545113?
Yes, in seconds, once the case back comes off. Movement finish, engraving fonts, and case construction differ from the original. From across a room, a high-tier build can pass.
Does a replica IW545113 keep time?
A quartz copy keeps time well but feels wrong on the wrist. Clone hand-wound and automatic movements vary, with many running 15 to 30 seconds a day when new and drifting more as they age.
Why check the small seconds subdial first?
On a hand-wound watch that subdial should sweep. On a quartz fake it ticks once per second, which is the fastest way to spot a low-tier build without opening the case.
What should the case size be on this reference?
Confirm it against the manufacturer listing for the exact reference before you order. Sellers mix sizes across the same product page, and a mismatch means you are looking at a different model.
Quick checklist before you order
- Movement type confirmed in writing.
- Video of the watch running and winding.
- Case diameter and thickness on the listing match the reference.
- Return policy with a real deadline.
- Buyer protection on the payment method.