How To Authenticate An IWC Watch

Owning a luxury watch is a matter of pride. Not only does it stay in your collection as a stunning piece, but it can even be an investment for the future. However, the immense demand for luxury watches, whether new or pre-owned, makes them susceptible to counterfeits. And one of the brands that inspires an incredible number of dupes is IWC Schaffhausen.

Also referred to as just IWC, the maison is renowned for having some of the most incredible complications, movements, and designs. With many awards under its belt, such as the GEO Award in the “Factory of the Year” competition in 2020, IWC’s craftsmanship is second to none. But this also makes them a great inspiration for dupes, which means that there is a high chance that you may get your hands on one as well. That is why you must familiarise yourself with how to spot a fake so you don’t end up paying a premium price for a piece that is not worth it. Here, we tell you some ways to discern whether your IWC watch is real or fake.

How To Spot A Fake IWC

The Dial

The dial is the first thing that you notice in any watch. So, it makes sense to start by scrutinising the dial. First of all, all IWC watches come with a very strong luminosity. So, if your watch does not have that or glows very feebly in the dark, you may have a dupe. Similarly, dials on IWC watches are equipped with an anti-reflective coating to increase legibility. So, if you see a glare on your dial, then you need to beware. You can also look for uniformity in all the colours across the dial.

The dial details on every IWC watch is a picture of perfection. Examine them closely to ensure your watch is not a fake

Apart from these, you also need to check the fine details on your timepiece. Counterfeits are not made with fine attention to detail, which is sure to leave traces. These minute inconsistencies can include scratched parts, like the hands and the finishing, wrong shapes of the hands and indices, leaking paint on the typography, or the font not being the same as the brand font. IWC’s watches have specific fonts as well. So, ensure the font is the same and their placement and spelling are correct. Wrong spellings on the dial are a dead giveaway of the piece being a fake. Also, check for crooked lines or the sub-dials not being perfectly aligned, such as not being equal distance from the centre.

The Case And Strap/Bracelet

IWC watches are typically made from premium quality materials, such as 18k gold, platinum, stainless steel, leather, or ceramic. So, if any part of the case or the strap/bracelet looks cheap and poorly made, you need to check for its authenticity.

Accordingly, different materials have different ways of checking for authenticity. In the case of stainless steel watches with bracelets, check if the bracelet is made from adjustable links. Counterfeits are made with non-adjustable links since those are much more cost-efficient for mass manufacturing. However, in the case of gold watches, the best way to spot a fake IWC is by getting it checked for authenticity by a jeweller and making sure it is not just a plating on top of cheaper base metal.

IWC watches are typically made from premium quality materials, such as 18k gold, platinum, stainless steel, leather, or ceramic. So, if any part of the case or the strap/bracelet looks cheap and poorly made, you need to check for its authenticity

The Caseback

The caseback is where the details of the watch are inscribed, making it easy to check for authenticity. On closed casebacks, the brand and model names should be neatly engraved. For watches made from precious metals, there should be details about the metal’s purity. If it’s an exhibition caseback, the engraved plates on the movement should have these details. When you take off the caseback, look for the calibre inscription on the main plate. Then, check online to ensure the calibre and all other inscribed details match. It’s one of the finest ways to spot a fake IWC watch.

On closed casebacks, the brand and model names should be neatly engraved. If it's an exhibition caseback, the engraved plates on the movement should have these details

Prevalence Of IWC In The Pre-owned Market: What Makes The Brand So Famous?

IWC has always been a considerably popular brand owing to its excellent designs. It also makes the brand highly coveted when it comes to pre-owned watches. Accordingly, here are some reasons why pre-owned IWC models make for some very attractive pieces.

IWC’s Rich Legacy

IWC has been a significant figure in the Swiss watchmaking industry for over 150 years. Innovation and creativity are imbued in every thread of the atelier’s legacy. In the early 20th century, the maison set new standards with the calibre 52 and the Pallweber pocket watch featuring digital windows.

Similarly, the 1930s saw the introduction of one of its most iconic Portugieser collections inspired by pocket watch movements, followed by the development of anti-magnetic protection in watches in the post-WWII era. IWC even showed its futuristic vision by sticking to mechanical watches when others went after quartz movements.

Exceptional Craftsmanship

The design of a watch is definitely subjective, and everyone’s criteria for what makes a watch stunning can differ. However, IWC’s range of timepieces is undeniably remarkable, from their design to deftly engineered precision. Whether one likes simple dress watches, rugged adventure watches, or wants to go for timepieces with multiple complications in a single dial, IWC watches are inclusive of all choices and preferences.