What replica IW93811 refers to
"Replica IW93811" is a seller search term, not an IWC reference number. IWC Schaffhausen prints references in the form IW plus four to six digits, such as IW371617 for the Portugieser Chronograph and IW328901 for the Ingenieur Automatic 40. No IW93811 entry appears in the brand's public catalog. The digits in a replica listing identify a batch or a factory code that the seller chose. They do not map to an IWC model line.
Sellers that use the term pair it with photos of current IWC steel models. The code changes when a seller switches suppliers. The same watch often lists under three or four codes at once.
Reference number format
- IWC references begin with the letters IW.
- Digit count runs from four to six. IW3714 and IW371617 describe the same line in two formats.
- The reference sits on the caseback and on the warranty card. The serial number is a separate stamp.
- Reference prefixes in the current catalog include 3, 4, 5, and 7.
IW93811 carries five digits and does not follow any published IWC prefix block.
Movement and materials in a copy
Copies sold under codes like this use third-party movements. Common units: Seiko NH35, Miyota 9015, Sea-Gull ST21, Hangzhou 6300, and the Asian 7750 chronograph. Quartz versions cost less and take a battery. Case metal is 316L stainless steel in most listings. Some sellers claim 904L. Gold plating on two-tone models measures 3 to 5 microns in seller specs.
Price bands
- $60 to $150: quartz or low-grade automatic, mineral glass, folded clasp.
- $200 to $450: automatic with a decorated rotor, sapphire crystal, 316L case.
- $500 and up: "super clone" claims, engraved bridges, anti-reflective sapphire, replica box and papers.
Price does not signal origin or quality control. No seller publishes movement serial numbers.
US law
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import into the United States. 19 U.S.C. § 1526 bars import of goods bearing a counterfeit mark. 18 U.S.C. § 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal crime. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes and destroys shipments. CBP states the personal-use exemption does not cover goods with a counterfeit mark. A buyer faces seizure, a possible civil claim from the trademark owner, and no recourse against the seller.
Verification steps
Check any reference against the IWC catalog. Count the digits. Request a caseback photo and compare the engraving font. IWC service centers do not service counterfeit watches. Independent watchmakers can decline the work. Parts for third-party movements are easy to source; dial and case parts are not.
What is unknown
No public record ties IW93811 to a factory, a movement, or an IWC model. Sellers change codes without notice. Treat any listing that uses the term as unverified.