A fake IW371779 is a watch sold as IWC reference IW371779 that IWC did not build. The number uses IWC's format: IW plus six digits. The 3717 group is the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Automatic, introduced in 2006. IWC assigns the last two digits to dial, strap, and bracelet variants.

Public catalog pages for the 371779 variant are thin. Ask IWC or an authorized dealer to confirm the exact build before you pay. A seller who cannot explain the reference is a risk.

Specs of the genuine 3717 chronograph

  • Movement: IWC caliber 79320, built on a Valjoux 7750 base and modified in Schaffhausen. 25 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, about 44 hours of power reserve.
  • Case: stainless steel, 42 mm across, about 14.5 mm thick, soft-iron inner case for magnetic shielding.
  • Dial: chronograph minutes at 12, chronograph hours at 6, running seconds at 9, day and date at 3.
  • Crystal: sapphire with antireflective coating.
  • Caseback: solid steel, screw-in, engraved with reference and serial.
  • Water resistance: 6 bar.

Checks that separate a real watch from a copy

  1. Caseback engraving. Genuine IWC engraving is cut into the metal with sharp edges and even depth. Copies show shallow etching, wrong font, or a serial that does not match the papers.
  2. Movement photo. Ask for a photo with the caseback removed. A genuine 79320 has an IWC-engraved rotor and clean finishing. Copies show rough finishing, no IWC marking, or a plain 7750 rotor.
  3. Subdial layout. The 7750 base fixes the subdial positions. Copies built on other movements place subdials in the wrong spots or fit a 12-hour totalizer that does not move.
  4. Day and date window. Genuine printing sits centered in the aperture. Copies show off-center text, wrong font weight, or a date wheel that sits deep in the dial.
  5. Hands and lume. Genuine hands have polished edges and flat lume fill. Copies show lume overflow, uneven edges, or mismatched color.
  6. Crown action. Winding and setting feel firm on a genuine 79320. Copies feel gritty or loose.
  7. Papers and box. IWC ships a box, booklet, and warranty card tied to the serial. A dealer or IWC service center can check the serial against the record.

Replica grades and prices

Replica sellers use labels such as AAA, Swiss ETA, and 1:1. The labels are marketing. Most copies of a 3717 chronograph run a Chinese clone of the Valjoux 7750 or a low-grade 7750. Prices sit between about $150 and $700. Genuine 3717 chronographs trade on the secondary market between about $3,500 and $6,000, based on condition, box, and papers.

IWC service centers do not service counterfeit watches. A copy has no brand parts support and cannot be repaired by the maker.

Legal position in the United States

IWC Schaffhausen is a Richemont brand. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 2320, with a first-offense penalty of up to 10 years. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches at ports of entry, and the shipment is forfeited or destroyed.

Before you pay

  • Request photos of the caseback, the serial, and the movement.
  • Check the serial with IWC or an authorized dealer.
  • Meet a watchmaker for a movement inspection on any private sale.
  • Compare the asking price against recent secondary market sales. A low price on a 3717 is the first signal.