IW93820 is not a reference number that appears in IWC Schaffhausen's official catalog, and its format does not match the brand's numbering system, so any watch offered under that code should be treated as counterfeit until proven otherwise. Genuine IWC references use the letters IW followed by six digits, such as IW371605 or IW500705. A five-digit code like IW93820 is a structural mismatch, which is the fastest signal that a listing is fabricated.
Why does the IW93820 reference number raise a red flag?
IWC assigns references in a consistent pattern that collectors and authorized dealers can check in seconds. The IW prefix is followed by six digits, and the full number maps to a specific model, case material, dial color, and production run. A shortened or invented code cannot be traced to any catalog entry, service record, or warranty registration.
Counterfeit sellers often invent reference numbers to sound precise and technical. Buyers assume a long model code means authenticity, so the fake number does the selling work for them.
What does a real IWC reference look like?
- Always starts with the letters IW
- Followed by exactly six digits
- Matches a model listed on the brand's official site or in dealer documentation
- Appears engraved between the lugs and repeated on the warranty card
How do you verify an IWC reference number before buying?
Search the exact number on the manufacturer's website, then compare the case size, movement, and dial details against the photos in the listing. If the number returns no official result, stop. No amount of paperwork from a seller overrides a reference that the brand itself does not recognize.
Ask for a photo of the engraving between the lugs, where the numbers are laser-cut with sharp, uniform edges. Fakes usually show shallow, uneven engraving or a stamped plate, and the digits often drift in spacing.
What are the common signs of a counterfeit IWC watch?
Beyond the number, counterfeit examples usually fail on finishing and movement details that are difficult to fake at low cost. Check the following before any money changes hands:
- Caseback engraving. Genuine text is crisp, aligned, and evenly spaced. Fakes show soft edges and inconsistent depth.
- Dial printing. Look at the logo and sub-dial text under magnification. Genuine printing is razor-sharp with no ink spread.
- Movement. An exhibition caseback should reveal a finished in-house or documented caliber, not a generic blank rotor.
- Serial and reference pairing. Both numbers must appear together in the brand's records when checked by a service center.
- Price. A current-model IWC offered far below secondary market value is a warning, not a bargain.
- Packaging. Certificates, booklets, and boxes are easy to reproduce, so treat them as supporting evidence only, never as proof.
What should you do if you already bought a fake?
Contact the seller in writing, keep every message, and dispute the payment through your card issuer or platform within the stated window. Report the listing to the marketplace and, in the US, to the appropriate consumer protection channel. A professional authentication from an IWC service center gives you documentation that strengthens a refund claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is IW93820 a real IWC model?
No official record of IW93820 exists in IWC's catalog, and the five-digit format breaks the brand's six-digit convention. Assume counterfeit.
Can a counterfeit IWC be identified from photos alone?
Photos catch many faults, including wrong reference formats, poor dial printing, and mismatched hands. A hands-on inspection of the movement and case engraving is still needed for certainty.
Do fake IWC watches come with warranty cards?
Often yes, and the cards are printed to look convincing. Only a stamp and record from an authorized dealer or the manufacturer carries real weight.