Quick Answer
A replica IWC IW329006 copies the 42 mm Aquatimer Automatic diver: steel case, internal rotating dive bezel, black dial with applied markers, and a rubber strap. Good examples cost roughly $250 to $450 and get the case size, bezel action, and dial layout right. Weak examples miss the case thickness, use flat printed markers, or mount a movement that does not hack. Judge the watch in person or through macro photos, not studio renders.
What the Original Does
The genuine IW329006 is part of the Aquatimer Automatic 42 family, rated to 300 m and powered by an in-house automatic calibre. It uses an internal dive bezel operated by a second crown at 2 o'clock, which keeps the timing scale under the crystal and out of the salt water. That bezel system is the hardest part of the watch to copy well, so it is where most replica problems show up.
Before You Start
- Ask the seller for macro photos of the dial, bezel ring, caseback, and crown threads.
- Confirm the listed case diameter, thickness, and lug width in writing.
- Ask which movement is inside and whether it hacks and hand-winds.
- Set a budget ceiling before you look, since tier jumping is easy.
How to Evaluate a Replica IW329006
- Measure the case with calipers. Target 42 mm across, about 14 mm thick, and 22 mm between the lugs. Anything under 41 mm or over 43 mm is a different case shell.
- Turn the inner bezel through its full range using the 2 o'clock crown. It should index in firm, even clicks with no back play and no rubbing against the crystal.
- Check the crystal edge. The genuine uses a domed sapphire with a slight inner bevel; a flat, thick-edged crystal is an instant tell.
- Inspect the dial under 10x magnification. Look for sharp marker frames, a clean date window edge, and text that sits level with the rehaut.
- Charge the lume with a phone light for 30 seconds. Decent replicas glow evenly for a few hours; cheap ones fade in minutes or glow green instead of blue.
- Test the movement. Wind it 20 turns, set the time, and confirm the seconds hand hacks when the crown is pulled. A rotor that rattles when shaken points to a low-grade clone.
- Flex the rubber strap and check the buckle engraving. The strap should be soft with molded, not glued, keeper edges.
- Unscrew and reseat both crowns. Threads should engage smoothly for at least three turns, and the crown should sit flush against the case when closed.
Price Tiers
- Under $150: printed dial details, stamped bezel, noisy movement, wrong case thickness.
- $200 to $300: correct dimensions, sapphire crystal, reliable Japanese or entry clone movement, average lume.
- $350 to $500: better bezel action, applied markers, closer dial text, decorated rotor, solid bracelet or strap options.
What Replicas Usually Get Wrong
Case thickness is the most common miss, since an extra millimeter changes how the watch sits on the wrist. Second is the bezel: many copies turn smoothly instead of clicking, or the scale drifts off center. Third is the dial text weight, which often looks bolder than the original under magnification. Fourth is the caseback engraving depth, which is shallow on budget builds.
Water Safety
Treat every replica as splash resistant at best. Gaskets are often dry or missing, and crown seals are not tested. Do not swim or shower with one, even if the seller claims 300 m. Have a watchmaker pressure test it first if water contact matters to you.