A fake Portugieser Automatic 42 is a copy of IWC's 42.3 mm seven-day automatic, and most replicas fail in three places: subdial printing, case thickness, and power reserve. The genuine watch runs an in-house 52000-series calibre with a 168-hour reserve, while copies use modified third-party movements that stop in about 40 hours.
What is the IWC Portugieser Automatic 42?
IWC introduced the Portugieser Automatic 42 in 2020 as the replacement for the long-running ref. IW5007. The ref. IW5017 keeps the 42.3 mm case, the small seconds at 9 o'clock, and the power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock. Steel, white gold, and red gold versions sit on an alligator strap, and a sapphire caseback shows the movement.
Street pricing runs from about $13,000 in steel to more than $30,000 in solid gold. That spread is what feeds the replica market.
How can you tell a fake Portugieser Automatic 42?
Case size and thickness
Measure the case first. A real Portugieser Automatic 42 is 42.3 mm wide, and many replicas land at 41 mm or 43 mm because they reuse an existing case. Thickness is the easier tell: the genuine watch sits near 14 mm, while copies bulk past 15 mm to fit a thicker movement.
Dial printing and subdials
Study the small seconds subdial and the power reserve arc under a loupe. Genuine printing is sharp, the track is even, and the applied numerals have polished edges. Fakes show fuzzy print, uneven spacing, and indices that sit crooked or stand too tall.
Movement and power reserve
Set the watch down and let it run. A real Portugieser Automatic 42 keeps time for seven days, and no replica at any price matches that figure. Copies use a modified ETA 7750, a Seagull ST25, or a decorated automatic with faux bridges and stop between 38 and 48 hours.
Caseback, engraving, and serial
Flip the watch over. Genuine engraving is deep and crisp, with even letter spacing and a serial that matches the papers. Replica engraving looks shallow or laser-etched, and the same serial number repeats across listings.
Weight, crown, and strap
Weigh it in your hand. Gold replicas use plated brass or steel, so they feel light for their size, and the crown action is gritty rather than smooth. Factory straps and buckles are the weakest part of a copy, with thin leather and soft engraving on the tang.
What movements do fake Portugieser Automatic 42 watches use?
- Modified ETA or Sellita automatic with decorative plates
- Seagull ST25 or ST18 base with a faux Pellaton rotor
- Valjoux 7750 derivatives in the thicker copies
- Low-beat 21,600 vph automatics in entry-tier models
None of these carry IWC's Pellaton winding system, and none reach 168 hours. Open the caseback and compare bridge shapes and jewel count against photos of a genuine 52000-series movement.
How much does a fake Portugieser Automatic 42 cost?
Entry copies sell for $120 to $300 and show obvious flaws in the dial and case. Mid-tier replicas run $300 to $600 and use cleaner finishing with a clone movement. High-end super clones reach $700 to $1,000 and still miss the seven-day reserve.
Is buying a fake Portugieser Automatic 42 legal?
Selling counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States and most of the European Union, and shipments can be seized by customs. Buyers also get no warranty, no service from IWC, and no resale value. A replica is not a substitute for the real reference at any level.
FAQ
Do fake Portugieser Automatic 42 watches have a real 7-day power reserve?
No replica has matched the 168-hour reserve of the calibre 52000 family. Most copies stop inside two days.
Can a jeweler tell a fake Portugieser Automatic 42 from a real one?
Yes. Case thickness, dial print, and movement finishing are visible under a loupe to anyone who handles IWC watches.
Why is the Portugieser Automatic 42 copied so often?
It has a clean, legible dial and a famous name, which makes it easy to sell, and the case shape is simple to machine. The seven-day movement is the part replicas cannot copy.