Short answer
A fake Big Pilot IW510 is a counterfeit of the IWC Big Pilot's Watch. IWC builds the genuine watch in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. The 46 mm case measures 46.2 mm across. The in-house automatic in this size runs a 7 day power reserve, which equals 168 hours. Replica sellers use the "IW510" string as a label. They do not buy movements from IWC, and they do not use IWC cases. Every watch sold as an IW510 replica copies the outside only. The escapement, the mainspring, and the finish come from another factory.
What "IW510" means
IWC reference numbers follow the pattern IW plus four digits plus a three digit extension, for example IW5102 with a two digit suffix. Listings that shorten the code to "IW510" point at the 46 mm Big Pilot's Watch block. Buyers should ask for the full reference on the caseback, the calibre number, and the year of production. A seller who cannot name the full reference does not have the watch in hand.
Specs of the 46 mm Big Pilot
- Case width: 46.2 mm
- Case thickness: about 15.6 mm
- Water resistance: 6 bar, or 60 m
- Crystal: sapphire with coating on both faces
- Crown: onion shape, screw down
- Movement: IWC automatic, 52xxx family, Pellaton winding
- Power reserve: 7 days, 168 hours
- Rate: 28,800 vph, 4 Hz
- Shielding: soft iron inner case
Checks that separate a replica from a genuine watch
- Measure the case with calipers. A genuine 46 mm Big Pilot reads 46.2 mm. Many replicas measure 44 to 45 mm.
- Time the power reserve. Wind the watch full, set it down, and note the stop time. A genuine movement runs near 168 hours. Most replica movements stop at 38 to 45 hours.
- Listen to the beat. 28,800 vph gives a smooth seconds hand. Replica movements at 21,600 vph show a visible jump.
- Read the caseback. IWC cuts the reference and the serial with a set depth and font. Copies show shallow laser marks, wide letters, or the wrong font.
- Inspect the dial print. The "IWC" and "SCHAFFHAUSEN" lines sit at fixed positions. Copies drift by 1 mm or more, and the date wheel font differs.
- Check the crown threads. The onion crown takes four to five turns to seat. Replicas take two turns or cross thread.
- Compare the price. A steel 46 mm Big Pilot on a strap listed at USD 400 is not a watch with a list price near USD 13,000.
Movement and caseback
The 52xxx calibre family uses Pellaton winding, a pawl system with a rotor that winds in both directions. Bridge finish is Geneva stripes on some references and a matte grain on others. Replica makers fit Asian automatic calibres, often a Sea-Gull unit or a copy of an ETA layout. The rotor text and the jewel count do not match IWC drawings. A service record from IWC or an authorized repair center settles the question.
Price levels
List prices for the 46 mm steel Big Pilot sat near USD 13,000 to 14,000 before IWC retired the size. Pre-owned examples trade near USD 8,000 to 11,000 at dealers and auction. Replica listings run USD 150 to 600 for common grades and USD 700 to 1,300 for "super clone" claims. Those figures come from sellers, not from any published standard.
Legal status in the United States
Import of counterfeit goods is banned under 19 U.S.C. § 1526(e). U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy a shipment. Trafficking in counterfeit goods carries criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, with up to 10 years for a first offense. Trademark owners can sue under the Lanham Act for statutory damages up to USD 200,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods, and up to USD 2,000,000 if the use is willful.
What a copy cannot carry
A replica carries no serial in the IWC database. It has no service history. It ships without the IWC warranty, which IWC extends to 8 years for watches registered in the My IWC program. It loses value the day it arrives, and IWC or an authorized repair center will not service it.