What Is the Replica IW371779?
The replica IW371779 is a counterfeit version of an IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph, sold in tiers that run from quartz lookalikes to 1:1 Swiss super clones with cloned automatic movements. It copies the same layout as the original: a 42 mm steel case, a black dial with Arabic numerals, a day-date window at 3 o'clock, and subdials at 12 and 6. Prices start near $60 for quartz builds and reach $300 to $500 for top-tier automatic clones.
People seek this reference because the genuine watch sells for thousands on the secondhand market. A replica delivers the same wrist presence for a fraction of that, with one tradeoff: it is not a real IWC and it holds no resale value.
What Does the Genuine IW371779 Look Like?
The reference sits in IWC's Pilot's Watch Chronograph family, a line known for legible dials and a soft-iron inner case that shields the movement from magnetism. Replica factories build their copies around those traits, so the real specs tell you what to compare against.
- Case: 42 mm stainless steel, brushed flanks with polished bevels
- Dial: black with white Arabic numerals, day-date at 3 o'clock
- Subdials: chronograph minutes at 12, running seconds at 6
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Movement: IWC cal. 79320, a Valjoux 7750 base
- Strap: black calfskin with a steel pin buckle
- Water resistance: 6 bar (60 m) on the original
Dial color and case finish vary across the 3717 line. Confirm the exact version with the seller before you order, because one reference number can cover several replica variants.
Which Movement Comes in a Replica IW371779?
Three movement families show up in listings for this reference, and the movement drives most of the price.
- Quartz: the seconds hand ticks in steps, the chrono pushers feel mushy, and the case is often thinner than the original. Found in the cheapest builds.
- Asian 7750: an automatic chronograph movement at 28,800 vph that winds, hacks, and sweeps. This is the workhorse of mid-tier replicas.
- Decorated clone 7750: the same architecture with engraved bridges, a signed rotor, and blued screws to mimic the cal. 79320. Top-tier builds use it.
A listing that claims a Swiss movement often means an Asian 7750 with cosmetic plates. Ask for a video of the running seconds and the chronograph reset before you pay.
How Much Does a Replica IW371779 Cost?
Price tracks the movement, the crystal, and the dial printing. These bands reflect 2024 and 2025 listings.
- $50 to $100: quartz, mineral glass, printed dial, stamped caseback
- $150 to $260: Asian 7750, sapphire crystal, clean dial print, basic lume
- $300 to $500: clone 7750 with engraved bridges, double AR sapphire, correct fonts, case profile close to the original
Anything above $500 for this reference is markup, not a quality jump. Anything below $50 is a disposable watch with a plastic feel.
How Do You Spot a Low-Quality Replica IW371779?
Most flaws show up on the wrist, not in the listing photos. Check these points before you commit.
- Date font: thin, squished numbers or a date sitting off-center in the window
- Subdial spacing: hands that sit too close to the center or overlap the numerals
- Lume: pale green glue on the hands that turns dark within a year
- Caseback: shallow engraving and a crooked reference number
- Crown and pushers: gritty threads and pushers that stick when pressed
- Crystal height: a domed crystal that rides high above the bezel instead of sitting close to it
- Strap: uneven stitching and a buckle with soft edges
No part of a replica is a warranty item. Buy from a seller who shows photos of the actual watch plus a movement video, not stock images.
Questions to Ask a Seller
- Which movement is inside, and can you send a video with the chronograph started and reset?
- Is the crystal sapphire, and does it have coating on the inside face?
- What are the measured case diameter and thickness in millimeters?
- Do you have photos of this exact watch, including the caseback?
- What happens if the watch arrives dead or damaged?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the replica IW371779 waterproof?
Treat it as splash-resistant only. Gaskets on replicas are not tested to the original 60 m rating, so keep it away from pools, showers, and salt water.
Will a jeweler service a replica IW371779?
Some independent watchmakers will work on an Asian 7750, since parts are common and cheap. IWC service centers refuse the watch, and many jewelers turn away anything they cannot confirm as genuine.
Does a replica IW371779 hold value?
No. A replica loses value the moment it ships, and there is no resale market outside the same replica forums. Treat the money as spent.
How close is a super clone to the real IW371779?
A top-tier clone matches the dial layout, case size, and crystal depth from arm's length. Open the caseback and the gaps in finishing, engraving, and movement layout become clear to anyone who knows the cal. 79320.
Legal and Practical Notes
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import in the US, the EU, and most other markets, and customs agencies seize them. Buying one is a personal risk decision, not a gray area with a guarantee attached. Weigh that before you send money to an overseas seller.
If the goal is a watch you can service, insure, and pass on, the used market for the genuine 3717 is the only path that works. A replica buys the look for a few years and nothing more.