Short answer
IW93870 does not match any IWC Schaffhausen reference number in the manufacturer's published catalogs. IWC reference numbers use the letters IW followed by four to six digits, such as IW371617 or IW500705. A leading 9 does not appear in the current lineup. A listing that uses IW93870 is a replica listing or a mislabeled watch, not a genuine IWC product.
Why the number shows up in search
Replica sellers invent reference numbers. The number looks plausible to a buyer who does not know the IWC numbering system. Some listings copy a real number and change one digit. Others add a 9 in front of a real reference. IW93870 follows that pattern: five digits, an IW prefix, and no match in any catalog.
How to verify an IWC reference in four steps
- Open the reference search on the IWC site and type the digits without the IW prefix.
- Compare the case size, movement, and dial layout on that page to the photos in the listing.
- Ask the seller for a photo of the case back. Genuine IWC case backs carry an engraved reference and a case number that match the papers.
- Ask for the service history. A genuine watch has a record with an IWC service center or an authorized dealer.
Signs a listing is not genuine
- Price well below the market range for the same model family.
- Terms such as 1:1, AAA, or Swiss replica in the title.
- Stock photos found on other sites.
- No photo of the movement or the case back.
- A reference number that fails a search on the manufacturer's site.
- Seller cannot name the caliber or the production years.
If you already paid
File a dispute with the payment provider. Credit card chargebacks cover goods that are not as described. Report the listing to the marketplace. In the US, Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit imports, and the buyer can lose the item plus the money.
Note: catalogs and prices change. Confirm details with IWC or an authorized dealer before you buy.