The short answer
A 39mm "Portugieser" copy is a counterfeit of an IWC watch, and there is no safe or legal way to buy one. Counterfeit watches are barred from import into the United States, they cannot be serviced or authenticated by IWC or its authorized network, and they hold no resale value. If what you actually want is a small, thin, dress-style Portugieser on the wrist, the honest path is a genuine IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 or a documented pre-owned example, or a 39 to 40mm watch from a brand that sells at replica prices without the legal baggage.
What a "39mm" claim actually tells you
IWC does not list a 39mm Portugieser in its current catalogue. The closest modern reference is the Portugieser Automatic 40, whose case measures 40.4mm across, with a height near 10.8mm and a 20mm lug width. That gap matters. Replica sellers often quote a nominal figure, measure across the caseback rather than the bezel, or simply copy a number from another listing. A watch advertised at 39mm can arrive at 41mm or 42mm, which changes how it sits under a cuff and how the dial reads on a smaller wrist.
The genuine proportions are also the hard part to copy: a slim bezel, long applied indices, leaf hands, and a dial that stays legible despite a crowded layout. Copies usually lose the dial printing first, then the hand finishing, then the case profile.
Why counterfeit Portugieser listings fail on fundamentals
- Legal exposure. Importing or selling counterfeit goods can lead to seizure, civil liability for trademark infringement, and in trafficking cases criminal penalties.
- No service path. IWC will not touch a counterfeit. Independent watchmakers often decline the work because replacement parts do not exist for that case and movement combination.
- Materials and durability. Plated base-metal cases, mineral or coated glass, unregulated movements, and optimistic water-resistance claims are standard. A plated case wears through at the lugs within a couple of years of daily use.
- Zero resale. A counterfeit has no secondary market beyond other buyers of counterfeits, and often not even that once the plating fails.
- No recourse. Sellers frequently ask for wire transfer or crypto, which leaves you with no chargeback route when the watch arrives wrong or does not arrive at all.
Parameters to check against the real watch
If you are comparing any listing, real or otherwise, these are the numbers that matter for the Portugieser Automatic 40. Case diameter around 40.4mm, case height roughly 10.8mm, lug width 20mm, sapphire crystal front and display back, water resistance in the 5 bar range, automatic movement with a Pellaton-type winding system, and a power reserve near 60 hours. Anything advertised well outside those bands is either a different reference or a guess. Confirm current specifications with IWC before you rely on them, since the brand updates references over time.
Pitfalls to avoid in this category
- Labels such as "1:1," "super clone," or "Swiss made" on a counterfeit carry no meaning and no enforcement behind them.
- Photos are frequently lifted from genuine listings, so reverse-searching the image often reveals the real watch and the real seller.
- Stated case sizes are marketing copy, not measurements. Ask for caliper photos across the bezel if size is your main concern, and expect evasions.
- Customs seizures are common for watch shipments, and the loss falls on the buyer.
- A "39mm" listing that ships a 42mm watch cannot be returned to a seller who operates outside normal consumer protections.
Better ways to get the look
For a slim 39 to 40mm dress watch with real service support, several brands sit in the same price territory as a high-end counterfeit. Look at Nomos, Junghans, Longines, Tissot, Seiko Presage, Baltic, and Christopher Ward. If it has to be a Portugieser, a pre-owned Automatic 40 or a Portugieser Chronograph bought from a dealer with papers and a service history is the only version that holds value and can be maintained. Vintage IWC pieces also deliver the proportions at a lower entry point, though they need a watchmaker on hand before you buy.
FAQ
Is a fake Portugieser 39mm waterproof?
No. Water resistance on a counterfeit is a printed claim, not a tested rating, and the gaskets are the first parts to fail.
Will IWC service a counterfeit Portugieser?
No. Authorized service centers reject counterfeit watches, and many independent watchmakers do the same because no parts supply exists.
Does IWC make a 39mm Portugieser?
Not in the current lineup. The Portugieser Automatic 40 at roughly 40.4mm is the smallest modern option, so a 39mm listing is a sign that the specification was invented.
What happens if customs seizes the watch?
The shipment can be seized and destroyed, and you may receive a notice. You generally have no refund path against the seller.