The short answer

Do not buy a counterfeit IW371759. It is not a bargain version of the watch, it is a different product with a different legal status. A fake that says IWC on the dial is an infringing good, it can be seized and destroyed at the border, it has no service path, no parts supply, and no resale value, and the seller who ships it usually takes payment in a form you cannot reverse. If what you want is the look of a Portugieser chronograph, you can get it legally three ways: a pre-owned genuine IWC, a homage or microbrand chronograph, or a mainstream Swiss or Japanese chronograph with similar proportions.

What the IW371759 actually is

The reference belongs to the IWC Portugieser chronograph family, a line defined by a clean two-register dial, applied numerals, leaf hands, and a round case that sits around the 41 mm mark. The appeal is the layout: a slim bezel, a wide dial opening, and a movement that keeps the subdials away from the center so the hands stay readable. Any watch you consider as a substitute should be judged against those proportions, not against a photo of a counterfeit listing.

Why counterfeit listings fail as a transaction

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely seizes shipments of counterfeit watches, and the buyer has no recourse when the parcel disappears.
  • Payment methods favored by counterfeit sellers are chosen because they cannot be charged back.
  • Movement quality is unknown. Many fakes use low-grade automatic or quartz movements that fail within a year and cannot be repaired.
  • Cases and bracelets often contain nickel or lead-bearing alloys that are not disclosed.
  • Resale is effectively zero, and some marketplaces will remove the listing if you try.

Legitimate routes to the same design

Pre-owned genuine

A used IWC Portugieser chronograph costs more than a counterfeit, but it holds value, can be serviced by the brand, and arrives with a real history. Buy from a seller with documented service records and a return window.

Homage and microbrand chronographs

Several independent brands build two-register chronographs with leaf hands and applied numerals using off-the-shelf Swiss or Japanese movements. They are honest about their own name on the dial, which is exactly the point.

Mainstream chronographs

A steel chronograph from a major brand with a 40 to 42 mm case and a clean dial delivers the same wrist presence with warranty coverage.

What to look for

  • Case diameter between 40 and 42 mm, with lug-to-lug under 50 mm so it fits average wrists.
  • Thickness between 12 and 14 mm. Chronographs get thick fast, and anything over 15 mm wears like a brick.
  • Sapphire crystal on the front. Look for sapphire or mineral on the back if you want to see the movement.
  • A named movement you can look up, with a documented service interval.
  • Water resistance of at least 50 meters, and a screw-down or well-gasketed caseback.
  • Strap or bracelet with quick-release or standard lug width, so replacements are easy.

Parameter bands that separate good from bad

  1. Power reserve: 40 to 60 hours is normal for a modern chronograph. Under 38 hours means an older or cheaper architecture.
  2. Accuracy: a regulated movement should run within about minus 10 to plus 15 seconds per day out of the box.
  3. Dial printing: crisp, level, and evenly weighted. Crooked subdials and bleeding text are the fastest tells of a poor build.
  4. Case finishing: distinct brushed and polished zones with clean transitions, not a uniform haze.
  5. Weight: a real steel chronograph has heft. Anything that feels hollow usually is.

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Listings that promise Swiss manufacture at a price no Swiss chronograph can be built for.
  • Sellers who will not show the caseback, the movement, or a timestamped photo.
  • Photographs lifted from a brand catalogue or from another seller.
  • Pressure to pay outside a protected checkout.
  • Claims of a warranty with no service address behind it.

FAQ

Is buying a counterfeit watch illegal?

Importing counterfeit goods is unlawful in the United States, and the shipment can be seized. Selling them exposes the seller to trademark liability.

Can a counterfeit chronograph be serviced?

Usually not. Watchmakers will not take on a watch with no parts supply, and the movement inside is often an unmarked generic that cannot be sourced.

What is the closest honest alternative?

A pre-owned genuine Portugieser chronograph, or a two-register chronograph from a microbrand using a known Swiss or Japanese movement.

Does a replica hold value?

No. There is no secondary market for counterfeit watches, and many platforms ban the listing outright.

How do I verify a pre-owned watch before paying?

Ask for the reference number, a clear photo of the caseback and movement, service paperwork, and a written return window. Confirm the reference against the manufacturer before money changes hands.