Short answer
The reference "IW938" does not exist in the IWC catalog. IWC Portofino references use the letters IW plus six digits, such as IW356501, IW391007 or IW510103. A listing for a fake Portofino ref IW938 copy watch carries a number that is short, merged or invented. Ask for a photo of the case back before you send money. The engraving there should match a number you can find in an IWC catalog or a reference database.
What the Portofino line is
IWC released the Portofino in 1984. It is a round dress watch with a thin bezel, a clean dial and a case between 37mm and 45mm depending on the model. The name comes from the Italian village. Current families include the Portofino Automatic 37, the Portofino Automatic 40, the Portofino Chronograph 42 and the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days. Each family has its own reference block.
How IWC numbers work
An IWC reference reads IW followed by six digits. The first digits point to the case and movement family. The last digits point to the dial variant and the strap. Two watches that look the same can carry different numbers because of dial color or bracelet type. When a seller quotes "IW938", ask for the full string from the case back. If the seller cannot supply it, the listing has no verifiable base.
What to check on a copy
- Case back engraving: depth, font and spacing. Laser etching looks shallow next to stamped or engraved text.
- Case size: measure with calipers. A 40mm Portofino copy that measures 42mm is a different case.
- Dial print: the IWC mark and the Schaffhausen text should sit on one baseline with even spacing.
- Hands: leaf shape, length and the sweep at the pinion. Short hands are a common fault.
- Crown: signed, and it should sit flush with the case band.
- Water resistance: copies are not pressure tested. Do not swim with one.
Movements you will find
Low grade copies run quartz. Mid grade copies run a Miyota 9015 or a Sea-Gull ST2130. Higher grade copies use a clone of an ETA 2892 or a Sellita SW300. Hand-wound Portofino copies are rare because the eight day movement is hard to copy at a low price. Ask for a movement photo and a rate reading from a timegrapher.
Price bands
Quartz copies sit under $100. Automatic copies with a Miyota or Sea-Gull movement run $150 to $300. Copies with a Swiss clone movement and a decorated rotor run $400 and up. A price far below the band for the movement type points to a swapped movement.
Legal position in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison. US Customs can seize shipments. A copy watch has no manufacturer warranty and no service history.
Checklist before payment
- Get the full reference from the case back and match it to a catalog entry.
- Ask for caliper photos of case diameter and thickness.
- Ask for a timegrapher photo with rate and amplitude.
- Confirm the movement model in writing.
- Check the return policy and the payment method. Card and escrow give you a path back.