IWC Schaffhausen
Collectors
Forum
  • Categories

  • New to the forum
  • Collector Articles
  • News
  • Community
  • Moderator articles
  • Contemporary timepieces
  • Movements and technical details
  • Vintage timepieces
  • About IWC
  • Gallery
  • Archive

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Weibo
  • Home
  • Community
  • How to Spot a Fake IWC Watch
  1. Threads
  2. Community
chevron_left Community

How to Spot a Fake IWC Watch

  • forum 143 replies
  • last reply by Mr. Tonny Berteloot 25 Jan 2026
  • Last
  • link
    Ms. Sarah Lawrence
    Apprentice 2 posts
    25 Sep 2018, 8:54 p.m. 25 Sep 2018, 8:54 p.m.
    link

    IW390502Pic2Gty

  • link
    Mark Fleminger
    Master 3210 posts
    25 Sep 2018, 9:04 p.m. 25 Sep 2018, 9:04 p.m.
    link

    Hi Lawro_3586
    Before we go on, let me ask you a question. 
    Does the watch you display give you an impression of quality and fine workmanship?

    Your answer lies within these clues. 

  • link
    Mr. christian fattah
    Apprentice 1 post
    21 Oct 2018, 6:14 p.m. 21 Oct 2018, 6:14 p.m.
    link

    Hi folks, 

    whats your take on this 377714? I have hard time to find good tails for the reps. Got it from chrono24, maybe im paranoid but something feel fishy. Appreciate all inputs.

    Edit: what disturbs me most is the gap between the lug and strap and the warranty is missing infromtion about the Authorised Agent, the signature and official stamp.

    Thanks

    Cuc1e1e68013f733985ea31b85db9.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAPQG-CUM7C8vtpDG89WyxDO-uYovqtPzFOVsqnSN5CxZQ4QlMq2XFb3XmP-z-2gzmwaruDC8KNPZmgwZjrxbLPelAojpz90pY9s3m3Jx4eMWUWycb6YLZJnzoZ80u2oIf72bPmkzrJT5m3guNUH81kRH9oOQsh016mUnMdZXUVYMELqKUyytkB4TK5VQA0x78QWEDqxfDcWoaco6zpr6F2cdWbN09zC_IppqhtBSPDsjsN06m2Flb2Z5p_sqpAn2u1yKmJXBFKoyKOfmWrWg0NIPvf4EJQszh_lJl5ZmVDPnA/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uceb69b64a385539294f42aa7380.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAOiaO_NGYeqp2Yz_0VJLoo9p7A3YvO33h0NxBxEq8Z-rWH4HhXsWyVMOjkODJ5pBGT61nc62Klwxr9fEfjsRGQ0x7Mmd2dD8UTJk46PBuJVzO8hEaoM-fEm70geg6FA-2gpDpxL9qyTSUqEhyHL3Kk-VCfnTWQTJnpB4pcytMHg7nF9z4IcVmtjpJNkntJ8TrCVeGGuIzWsm7MWkWSTzn2D3mjooCNz12TIMjuWYntIXAbDqCEn0eDAJWRJ1bkwP20AvEJRaqZQCz8Y1pBzeFluyLBiw9ojGEX2gMO_n7DuyQ/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uc055581695117ebf99c93dbac8b.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAOT_mAO5vbezf_Xj5q4Da4nzdrgDdbR8VDDW3CJU8tR7h1PxdAECo4wABCHlBOqWRITT97Cy2-XTG2wWbXy3K0Wkbf3hqWsFcYffvrgHFJpBHAvsSkrZ8LWly_D51vKlZVUMTwIS4M9R3nGUdSaZX48kzjlFHXHQopPOA1-RiMG8kdigUakAixKafOeiF4PniP5cwifv9NqoKVoCXQUNnZMWheje2NN_cYR46cZC9djFBeDuhWhIklVHzMxGGwueKP-ws1rVdCff1hZft81ibpooCwiaVQhXp10rB7aD2dK3w/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3ucbf2142a82fe6228d937ae38c6f.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAMUpy9Od1fOLHvEDOajp1p3H8mXPbpGOZeOYVwNF-_Py3n4ouQ0Y3Df4qP7hjnPpAR0F8hIbZXKszj_QswXPLCiQ24_0ldHACAz0dZaBiDJigCcEOZHBFOytBFG7b9alLMzIdYoUDtMccXLWOsUeFyHQ9GbDExPDGhkKHTjkGDiISOtdhI2vX2maLq1zHwX_cQ3PQBr6J9SoBdhH_49LXSO8YYpyWsrO-TzvOQS2QbfPyKbbyK9lY6VQSa6feWq8qHKKy4LXdL13VAx_xdKDMyI71wqDqMKur4-_sHz4gjFVQ/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uca566b88e5647730e2c19387878.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAMzFQfHd5HLDcxJIUjzlOvePQmI4NFGipn0Jj9ZMpANaGxnsg4Ds9vULDn82_XBRP6C0ZXwoBrTTv10bZ8Y-SS-GKGuFkV5U30EkCcSOqLco5q3Br3eKXYFp9EeKeOafqwLI17sGV2TLjYUHheSzy3R2Xrp3VhvrJi42D0G1xHMp-T9zci62hdt7Q69mtnuWBXfaJcPyDDQIdnhReXxbV0BE_C1xaktxGhI619DklYNtsW51IIX1tN4-rQSzYnNlVDH-6pG6oDgrRpNSo_z6tSuCJTWzb-jm_Tlz5Glvr0Dgw/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uc17c8563f75efc4cde9bdfed39e.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAMrwz9NF27Dj5ihMMrwt6d5iZ0fJv9GgmYoTI0WoIqK9w99TCgOL4YbtAjmkD7n7RHGaMsGisRjjjWFPC_cob0OTGuzbFR4mDsan5jLC63yySHO0PmyDqkAoUCIDGDfLLaQtN2p08KwRlNiJ-XN8KSNdF9gFci5KodPcGTRaJjp4b9FRm6lpu0pc072Dkf6aKeU6wZydPeUT7ZpnKFGS6X_E0SnGy0Wbw-hoZlVTwJvbQ/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uc487085fbc21d0da3cb5005dca7.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAP6-_ABBIt2oYLWQxEj-l9h5bo3t3ajxTXho2dCDy5yWqpu_Hz1jRTejZY2NlkVh4-4G86I71XM_0DQM0q5cBkyrWTtRSfiKy5dVVE-WHtTZ0wxgd6Uo_NssPVNt9b3px5YNwTJMlbchh5UtPMtv48YWC5ax8AZr9GQMdCC0VGeDidg1JhfyT4znhRu0-HMaHy6MA_JjY4GihH8he1VYWcmbf7qhl-dHjCtYy1AGaNLXgJV8qaN43iJgN9FUfj4Cq6TiphTqQEZ8_D6AiM6jzhLAw-HNjJC0mNGmAlgGjWvQQ/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3uc04d71f246100e9b401fd365071.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAOD85m1y6ei-J4Iy7CaO37IzdcAbam5cpxlIYTMSNo1quOMVlq-F8-4d0ogqen6FPh71_eLyye6wSm64ScI0SdRuNkCXn-0knGi60FeHfsHcPMq-YQxIxNXhROy-eGvYExl5Y21aq5ITAEED39WcBFCbWiqE0Cn7Mo-aSwM755SkTMhAbKTrc-uRSbEZx6Hudt7EZeE7ODU-WJBkxfZMIWKlFaPfwUZncYLP84p1D9j5ImLf-Yggu348s0sHto1JMUL3speqEDCaodM_ij14lpGRGlIJ-LHeU9UYqDJ-imWbQ/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3ucd260e40249002c90aa0deb6fd4.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAP1iozpfKDmCCR7PbJT48FItoaMQV7GYjBfIxQDGIqAKRBBp_p070ec6Co7phoUT9HoL0sqGk-P7-4iPRVsG6QN5aIACrMSm0BuLVGRI27qaaOq7xLqRzymBeAk1u7U4OUs8WsY8E0WK-8vb0ONYRVqO_k7sn-PHDUwMf4WqA20BPv2_KRkz0GhrMxZaVzCGCJAYjkP08FToUOTs-SMyneEvKFELKgpr6iv_3xaicYkf_PGE_yeMw73rWC-_GePVI4WxnE3dlgg9E2IktBsPcb-YCX2GC2Uq25W-aDrIE8KXg/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3
    /site_media/ckeditor_images/2f2c0ab1125ea9f5e99203c0dca937a5.jpg/site_media/ckeditor_images/b7b71bcc3ee649489d0be1d05f73f2d5.jpg/site_media/ckeditor_images/64008bee8b16e4bf50a966c133bcff45.jpg

  • link
    Mr. Rob Lam
    Apprentice 3 posts
    25 Oct 2018, 6:03 a.m. 25 Oct 2018, 6:03 a.m.
    link

    /site_media/ckeditor_images/3eef706595b2f5bec7c0a8bebbb0a7f9.jpg/site_media/ckeditor_images/14dea6663342f2f0d4aa9d8e5127e8b1.jpg/site_media/ckeditor_images/497b678fbfcfd48a6591a78c403717f6.jpg

    Has anyone seen a Cal.88 without serial numbers and markings like this one?

  • link
    nobleaura
    Apprentice 1 post
    16 Dec 2025, 6:15 p.m. 16 Dec 2025, 6:15 p.m.
    link

    Great post, Marc. This is one of the most detailed and practical breakdowns I’ve seen for spotting fake IWC watches. The side-by-side comparisons and focus on small details like subdial spacing and date disk color are especially helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the community.

    Regards: Youtify CEO

  • link
    whatguy
    Apprentice 1 post
    24 Jan 2026, 7:28 p.m. 24 Jan 2026, 7:28 p.m.
    link

    Thank you for putting this together! This is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to buy pre-owned. The side-by-side comparisons really highlight how "the devil is in the details" especially regarding subdial spacing and date disk colors.

    For those of us in the community, these "tells" are vital:

    • Proportions: Replicas often struggle with subdial compression due to using different movements.
    • Alignment: The "Number 7" rule is a fantastic, quick tip for checking Pilot models.
    • Finishing: Subtle differences in hand length and font weight are much easier to see with your guide.
  • link
    Jrhfilms
    Apprentice 1 post
    24 Jan 2026, 9:01 p.m. 24 Jan 2026, 9:01 p.m.
    link

    Thank you for the information. I’m trying to be a watch collector, but I don’t have much experience. I recently bought a used IWC on EBay, but I have doubts. It was said to be pre owned, had box and papers but it didn’t seem right. Could someone please help me?

  • link
    Mr. Tonny Berteloot
    Moderator 3598 posts
    25 Jan 2026, 1:07 p.m. 25 Jan 2026, 1:07 p.m.
    link

    stay away from this fake

  • first_page
  • chevron_left

There are no more posts in this thread.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Weibo
Contact Our Concierge
  • Contact Us
  • +1-800-432-9330
Go to iwc.com
  • Conditions of Sale
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use