A fake IW371772 is a counterfeit of IWC's 3717-family pilot chronograph, and the two checks that expose most copies are the movement behind the caseback and the font of the dial text. A genuine 3717 watch runs an IWC caliber 79320, a modified Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph with a sweep seconds hand that beats eight times a second, while the cheapest fakes hide a quartz module that ticks once per second. If you cannot open the watch, compare the case width, the crown guards, and the words "Schaffhausen" and "Automatic" against factory photos before you hand over money.

What Is the IWC IW371772?

The IW371772 sits in IWC's 3717 pilot chronograph family, a line built through the late 2000s with a stainless steel case of about 42 mm and a day-date window at 3 o'clock.

The family shares one engine: the IWC caliber 79320, an automatic chronograph derived from the Valjoux 7750. IWC also fitted a soft iron inner case for magnetic shielding, a detail most copies skip.

References inside the 3717 group differ by dial color, strap or bracelet, and limited editions, so match the number stamped on the caseback to the dial and hands in front of you. If the two disagree, stop there.

Why Do People Search for a Fake IW371772?

The genuine watch trades on the secondary market for several thousand dollars, so a copy at a fraction of that price draws in buyers who want the pilot chronograph look without the cost.

Demand also comes from the other side: owners who suspect a watch they already own is a copy, and shoppers screening listings before they pay.

Both groups need the same checklist. Authenticity lives in the details, not in the box or the papers, which are easy to fake.

How to Spot a Fake IW371772

1. Start with the movement

Ask the seller for a photo of the movement or a clear shot of the caseback. A real 79320 shows a signed rotor, Geneva stripes, and a chronograph module stacked on the main plate.

Cheap copies use unbranded 7750 clones with rough finishing, and the bottom tier drops in a quartz movement. On a quartz watch, the chronograph seconds hand jumps once per second instead of gliding.

2. Read the dial printing

Genuine dial text is crisp, evenly spaced, and level. Fake dials show thick serifs, letters that drift upward, and a "Schaffhausen" line that crowds the IWC logo.

Check the subdial hands as well. Copies often ship with hands too short to reach their marks, or with a date wheel whose font does not match IWC's.

3. Measure the case

Case diameter, thickness, and lug width are the hardest specs to fake at low cost. A 3717 case measures about 42 mm across, and copies that come in at 40 mm or 44 mm are wrong before you look at anything else.

Look at the bezel slope and the crown guards too. Cheap cases have soft edges, uneven brushing, and pushers that sit at different heights.

4. Inspect the caseback engraving

Laser engraving on a fake tends to be shallow and gray, while genuine engraving cuts clean and deep. Reference numbers, the serial, and the International Watch Co. script should all sit level and match the seller's description.

5. Check the crystal, crown and pushers

Genuine watches use sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both faces; that coating gives a faint blue tint at an angle. Mineral glass on a fake looks flatter and scratches within weeks.

The crown should screw down with firm threads. If the crown turns loosely or the pushers wobble, the case is a copy.

6. Weigh it in your hand

Hold the watch or ask for the weight. A steel 3717 on a bracelet feels dense and top-heavy, while copies feel light because the case walls and bracelet links are thinner.

Genuine vs Fake IW371772 at a Glance

• Movement: signed caliber 79320 against an unbranded 7750 clone or a quartz module.
• Dial text: level, thin, and sharp against thick, drifting print.
• Case size: close to 42 mm across against off-size copies.
• Caseback: deep engraving with matching serials against shallow laser etching.
• Crystal: coated sapphire against mineral glass.
• Weight: dense steel against a light case and bracelet.
• Box and papers: easy to fake, so treat them as no proof at all.

What Does a Fake IW371772 Cost?

Fakes split into rough tiers. Bargain copies sell for the price of a dinner and look wrong from a meter away. Mid-tier replicas cost a few hundred dollars and copy the outside well while hiding a cheap movement.

The best replicas climb close to four figures and can fool a casual glance, but they still fail the caseback and movement checks.

None of these prices buy a serviceable watch. Expect a failing movement, unverified gaskets, and parts that no watchmaker keeps in stock.

Risks of Buying or Owning a Fake IW371772

• Legal exposure: US customs can seize counterfeit watches at import, and selling a fake exposes you to civil claims from the brand.
• No service: many independent watchmakers refuse counterfeit movements, and IWC will not touch them.
• No resale: dealers, auction houses, and watch forums ban counterfeits, so there is no exit.
• Water damage: gaskets on copies are untested. Keep the watch away from water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fake IW371772 waterproof?

Treat it as splash-proof at best. The genuine 3717 is rated for everyday water contact, but replica cases are not pressure tested, and one swim can end the movement.

Does a replica IW371772 use the same movement?

No. High-end copies use 7750 clones that resemble the caliber 79320 from the outside, while cheaper ones use quartz modules. None are signed or finished by IWC.

Can a watchmaker tell a fake IW371772 in seconds?

Often, yes. Case opening, movement finish, and caseback engraving give it away. A watchmaker with IWC parts accounts will also spot a wrong caseback gasket and a mismatched reference stamp.

Is buying a fake IW371772 illegal in the US?

Importing and selling counterfeits is illegal. Buying one for personal use sits in a gray zone, but you carry the risk of seizure, no warranty, and no legal recourse if the seller ships nothing or a worse copy than promised.

How much does a genuine IW371772 cost used?

Clean steel 3717 chronographs trade in the mid four figures on the secondary market, with box and papers pushing the number higher. Prices move with condition and dial variant.

Bottom Line

Check the movement, the dial print, and the caseback engraving first. Those three checks catch nearly every fake IW371772, and no box, paper, or seller story outweighs them.