Short answer
A fake IW323750 is a replica watch sold with the IWC-style reference number IW323750 printed on a listing, a warranty card, or a caseback sticker. IWC reference numbers use the form IW plus six digits. I cannot confirm a current IWC model with the exact number IW323750 in public catalog material, so treat the number as unverified until the seller shows matching IWC documentation. Ask for the catalog page, the warranty card, and a clear photo of the caseback engraving before you discuss price.
Verify the number first
The number is the cheapest thing to check and the hardest thing to fake well. Four places should carry the same digits:
- The caseback engraving, between the lugs or on the outer ring
- The warranty card or guarantee booklet
- The movement number, if the caseback is transparent
- The seller's listing text
Mismatch between any two of these is enough to end the deal. Photocopied cards, blank cards, and cards with a printed number instead of a stamped or handwritten one are common on replicas.
Points to inspect on the watch
Case and finish
Look at the transition between brushed and polished surfaces. On a genuine case the line is sharp and consistent. On a replica it drifts, and the polish runs onto brushed flats. Check lug holes, spring bar fit, and crown thread engagement. A crown that catches or wobbles after two turns points to a copied case tube.
Dial and hands
Printed text should sit flat under a loupe with no halo. Applied markers should cast a clean shadow and line up with the chapter ring. Replica dials show thicker print, uneven lume fill, and hand tips that stop short of the marker track.
Movement
Ask for a photo of the movement with the rotor turned away from the balance. Finishing on bridges, screw slots, and jewel settings separates a factory calibre from a decorated clone. Check the beat rate: 28,800 vibrations per hour is standard for modern IWC calibres, and many replicas run at 21,600.
Weight and feel
Weigh the watch on a kitchen scale. Replica cases and bracelets run light, with a gap of 10 to 30 grams in most comparisons. Bracelet screws should thread with resistance, not spin loose.
Price signals
A steel IWC on a strap sells in the low thousands of dollars on the used market. A listing in the low hundreds, or one that invites offers off-platform, does not match the reference. Payment by wire transfer, crypto, or gift card removes your ability to reverse the charge.
Questions to send the seller
- Can you send a photo of the caseback engraving and the warranty card side by side?
- What is the movement number and the service history?
- Do you accept payment through an escrow or a platform with buyer protection?
- Can a watchmaker open the case before I pay?
Risk after purchase
Replica watches carry no manufacturer service, no parts supply, and no resale value. A watchmaker may refuse to work on a clone movement, and water resistance claims on replicas are unverified. If the sale already happened, stop wearing the watch near water and keep the listing screenshots and payment records.