Short answer
IW329122 sits in the 3291 block of IWC Schaffhausen references. That block covers the Pilot's Watch Automatic 36. A fake IW329122 is a watch sold under that reference and not made by IWC. Four checks catch most copies: case diameter, dial print, caseback engraving and movement. Weight and crown action come after those.
IWC's own reference search is the only source that settles the exact dial, strap and production years for IW329122. Secondary lists disagree on variants. Treat one list as a lead, not proof.
Case and crystal
Measure the case without the crown. The Pilot's Watch Automatic 36 measures 36 mm across. Copies show up at 38 mm and 40 mm because makers reuse a larger case. The crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces. Tap it. Sapphire rings. Mineral glass thuds. Under a loupe, sapphire sits flush and shows no mold seam.
Dial and hands
- Print. Numerals on the original are crisp with equal spacing. Copies show thick edges and smudged lume fill.
- Date. The window sits at 3 o'clock, cut square. The date wheel matches the dial. Cheap copies show a white wheel under a black dial, or a date that sits off-center.
- Hands. The seconds hand reaches the minute track. Copies fall short or overshoot.
- Lume. The triangle at 12 and the numerals glow green. Fakes glow blue or patchy.
Caseback and serial
The caseback on the 3291 family is solid steel. Engraving is cut clean: IWC logo, Schaffhausen, reference number, serial number, water resistance. Check the reference against the serial. A service center can confirm a serial. Fakes reuse one serial across many units. Search the serial text and watch for repeats.
Movement
IWC lists caliber 35111 for the Pilot's Watch Automatic 36. It is based on the Sellita SW300-1: automatic, 25 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, about 42 hours of power reserve. A solid caseback hides it. If the seller opens the back, look for IWC finishing, a signed rotor and a movement that hacks and hand-winds. A Miyota or a rough Chinese automatic inside a watch sold as IW329122 ends the deal.
Price and papers
Secondhand listings for the 3291 family run into the thousands of US dollars. Strap, condition, box and papers move the number. A price far below market is the strongest single signal. Box and papers are copied too. Papers prove nothing on their own.
What a photo cannot show
Photos hide thickness, weight and movement. Ask for a scale shot, a caseback close-up and a movement photo if the back is open. For any purchase above a few hundred dollars, have a watchmaker open the case.
If you only do one check
Ask for the serial and confirm it with IWC. Everything else is inference.