The short answer
A replica IW371628 is a counterfeit copy of an IWC Portugieser Chronograph. The reference sits in IWC's Portugieser line, a 41mm stainless-steel chronograph with the two-register layout that family is known for. No replica comes from IWC, none carries an IWC warranty, and under US law counterfeit trademarked goods can be seized at the border. If what you want is the look, a pre-owned genuine example or a well-made chronograph from another brand gets you there without the baggage.
What the genuine reference is
The Portugieser Chronograph is one of IWC's longest-running designs. Current versions use a 41mm steel case, a bicompax dial with the elapsed-minutes counter at 12 and small seconds at 6, thin feuille hands, applied Arabic numerals, and a railroad-style minute track. Inside is an in-house automatic chronograph calibre with a column-wheel mechanism and roughly 46 hours of reserve. Water resistance is modest, around 3 bar, which is normal for a dress-leaning chronograph.
Older generations of the same family ran a modified Valjoux 7750 and measured about 40.9mm across. Reference numbers changed often, which is one reason people search by number rather than by name. Verify any specific reference through IWC directly before you treat a spec sheet as fact.
What copies get right, and what they miss
The first thing I notice on a replica Portugieser is not the movement. It is the dial. Printing on a genuine IWC is dense and crisp, with sharp borders on the numerals and even lume. Copies tend to show soft edges, slightly heavy text, and a flatter finish under angled light.
- Case finishing: genuine cases get sharp transitions between brushed and polished surfaces. Copies often blur that line.
- Crystal and coating: real sapphire has an anti-reflective treatment that nearly disappears at some angles. Cheap copies look milky or reflect like a mirror.
- Chronograph action: a column wheel gives a light, precise pusher feel. Cloned or rebadged movements feel gritty or spongy.
- Strap and hardware: alligator-pattern leather and folding clasps are common weak points.
- Papers and boxes: replica sellers frequently ship fake certificates with matching serial numbers, which is a separate offense on its own.
The legal reality in the United States
Counterfeit watches are not a gray area here. US Customs and Border Protection treats counterfeit goods as subject to seizure and forfeiture, and the personal-use exemption that applies to some trademarked imports does not apply to counterfeits. Trafficking in counterfeit goods also carries criminal exposure under federal law.
In practice this means a package can vanish, no refund comes, and the seller is beyond reach. I have seen buyers assume a small personal order is safe. It is not, and the risk lands entirely on the person receiving it.
Ownership costs nobody mentions
A counterfeit has no service path. IWC will not touch it. Independent watchmakers often refuse them because parts do not exist and the movement is undocumented. When something breaks, the watch becomes a paperweight. Resale value is close to zero, and any listing that admits what it is gets pulled quickly.
Better ways to scratch the itch
- Buy a pre-owned genuine Portugieser Chronograph from a dealer with a service history. Prices on older references are far below new retail.
- Consider a chronograph from Longines, Nomos, Stowa, or Tissot. Different design language, real warranty, real resale.
- If the two-register dial is the appeal, look for that layout from brands using their own name. Plenty of them exist.
The honest version of this answer is simple. The reference is lovely. The copy is a liability that looks like a bargain for about a month.