Short answer
A "fake Portugieser hand wound 42" is a replica of an IWC Portugieser with a manual movement and a case the seller lists at 42 mm. IWC's published figure for the Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days is 43.0 mm. The 42 mm figure matches the Portugieser Automatic 42, which is 42.4 mm and self-winding. Ask for the reference number first, then compare measurements.
What the name covers
Hand wound means a manual caliber. There is no rotor. You wind the watch with the crown. The Portugieser layout dates to the 1930s: round case, thin bezel, applied numerals, small seconds in a subdial.
In the current IWC catalog the hand-wound Portugieser models sit at 42.4 mm and 43.0 mm. None is listed at exactly 42.0 mm. A listing that says 42 mm and hand wound has taken one number from one model and one word from another, or the case is third party.
Case size
Measure across the case at 2 and 8 o'clock, crown excluded. Ask the seller for a photo with calipers on the case. One millimeter changes dial proportions and strap fit. The Portugieser Automatic 42 measures 42.4 mm and the Hand-Wound Eight Days measures 43.0 mm. A case that lands at 42.0 mm matches neither.
Movement
Caliber 59215 in the genuine Eight Days uses two barrels in series and runs 192 hours. The dial shows small seconds at 9, a power reserve hand at 3, and a date at 6.
- Wind the watch fully. Note the power reserve hand position.
- Wait 24 hours. Check the hand again.
- On many replicas the reserve hand is fixed or runs on a separate gear train. It does not track the mainspring.
- Ask which caliber is inside. Asian hand-wound movements at this price point often run 38 to 42 hours.
A true eight-day reserve needs two barrels. Few replica cases hold one.
Dial and hands
Check print sharpness. Check the space between "IWC" and "SCHAFFHAUSEN". Check that the applied numerals sit level with the minute track. Some references use heat-blued hands. Painted hands show a flat color and no color shift under light.
Caseback and strap
Check engraving depth and font on the caseback. Ask the seller to measure lug width with calipers. IWC lists strap size per reference, so the measurement should match the reference number the seller gives you. A mismatch means the case is not from that model line.
Questions to send a seller
- Exact reference being copied.
- Caliper photo of case diameter, crown excluded.
- Movement photo and caliber number.
- Power reserve result after 48 hours.
- Return window and return address.
US legal status
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years. US Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments and assess civil penalties. Personal use is not a defense. Swiss law bans production and sale of counterfeits as well.