Short answer

IW329113 is an IWC reference number from the Aquatimer line. A watch sold under that number by anyone other than an IWC dealer is a counterfeit. Sellers label these watches "1:1 Swiss super clone" or "AAA replica." No factory outside IWC builds this reference to IWC specification. In the United States, trafficking counterfeit watches is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320.

The real reference

The IW3291 family is the IWC Aquatimer Automatic 42 mm, a steel dive watch. Specs on the 42 mm model:

  • Case: stainless steel, 42 mm across, about 14 mm thick
  • Movement: IWC calibre 30120, automatic, 4 Hz (28,800 vph), 42 hour power reserve
  • Crystal: sapphire, anti reflective coating on both sides
  • Water resistance: 300 m (30 bar)
  • Bezel: IWC SafeDive system, outer bezel linked to an inner bezel by a clutch

IWC uses trailing digits for dial color, strap or bracelet, and market. Public sources do not agree on which dial and strap combination carries the 113 suffix. Confirm the exact build with an IWC boutique or an authorized service center before you rely on the number.

Why this reference gets copied

An Aquatimer Automatic 42 retails near $6,500. A counterfeit diver costs $40 to $80 to build and sells for $250 to $600. The Aquatimer is copied less than the Rolex Submariner, so buyers find fewer comparison photos. That gap helps sellers.

How to tell a fake IW329113

  • Bezel action. The SafeDive clutch is the hardest part to copy. On many fakes the bezel turns free, or it turns without moving the inner ring.
  • Beat rate. Use a timegrapher. A 21,600 vph movement (3 Hz) does not match IWC spec.
  • Date change. The real watch snaps near midnight. Many fakes creep from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Dial text. Compare the "International Watch Co" and "Schaffhausen" lines. Letter spacing and font weight differ on copies.
  • Case back. Check reference and serial engraving. Fakes reuse one serial across a batch.
  • Lume. Super-LumiNova on the real dial glows for hours. Fake lume dims in minutes and can look patchy.
  • Bracelet and clasp. End link fit, clasp engraving, and screw heads differ.

Price checks

New Aquatimer Automatic 42: about $6,500. Used: $3,000 to $5,000, based on condition, box, and papers. A "new" IW329113 at $300 to $600 is not an IWC. Look for stock photos reused across listings and sellers who ship from a warehouse with no return address.

Verification steps

  1. Get the serial number and reference from the seller in writing.
  2. Call an IWC boutique or authorized service center. Ask if the serial maps to that reference.
  3. Have a watchmaker open the case back. Look for calibre 30120 markings and rotor finish.
  4. Request photos of the crown, case back, clasp, and movement before payment.

Legal position in the US

18 U.S.C. 2320 covers trafficking in counterfeit goods. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2,000,000 for an individual. Trademark owners can also sue under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1117, with statutory damages up to $200,000 per mark, or up to $2,000,000 per mark for willful use. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy counterfeit watches at import.

Bottom line

IW329113 is an IWC number. A watch with that number on the case back and a $400 price tag is a counterfeit. Buy from an authorized dealer or a seller who allows inspection and return.