Ingenieur authenticity question (with photos)

[machgear]

Hi all,

I'd just purchased my first IWC from a 100% feedback Ebay seller and I'm hoping this is authentic as claimed. It was claimed to be in Old World Stock condition (not a scratch anywhere & includes box, paper, serial# matches warranty card, etc.). What concerns me are two unusual raised bumps on the case that appear to be the pivotal screws for both chrono buttons. Has anyone seen such bumps on the Ingenieur Chrono, or on any chrono watch for that matter? I'd really like to keep this watch as these bumps are hardly noticeable, but if they're indications of a fake, then I'll need to file a claim with PayPal. Additional photos can be provided, if needed. I would very much appreciate and value your expert opinions.

[w@tch]

You said you've already brought the watch so that's done and I don't think PayPal will refund you because you think it might be a fake.

Wait until I received it, take it to an IWC AD where you can explain the situation and pay them to authenticate and value the watch.

[toph]

I have the exact same watch on right now as i type. i can see nothing that makes it different from mine. i try a lot of fake spotting with Rolex Breilting IWC and if yours is a fake its the best fake i have ever seen. It looks identical to mine ( except the bumps). Always take it to an AD if you have any doubts
cheers

[outbackwatchgeek]

You said you've already brought the watch so that's done and I don't think PayPal will refund you because you think it might be a fake.

Paypal says you can dispute;

"A physical item you purchased on eBay that is significantly different from what was described in the listing."

And Ebay says;

"eBay Buyer Protection covers items purchased on eBay with eligible payment that are not received or not as described in the listing"

I think a fake watch would qualify for both or either of those.

[machgear]

Both local IWC ADs referred me to IWC's main sales in NYC, who then referred me to the IWC Technical Service Center in TX. Basically, the only IWC-approved authentication method is to ship it to this service center who will ship it overseas to IWC, which will cost over $100 in shipping costs, plus authentication fees, if any. Since this is a discontinued model, the local ADs are unable to externally compare and the overseas IWC is the only location authorized to open the case and confirm the movement's components. The main drawback to this, for me, is the indeterminable processing/shipping time could fall outside PayPal's 60-day protection window, if determined as a fake . Oh well, thanks all for your replies (and comparison, toph).

[toph]

Both local IWC ADs referred me to IWC's main sales in NYC, who then referred me to the IWC Technical Service Center in TX. Basically, the only IWC-approved authentication method is to ship it to this service center who will ship it overseas to IWC, which will cost over $100 in shipping costs, plus authentication fees, if any. Since this is a discontinued model, the local ADs are unable to externally compare and the overseas IWC is the only location authorized to open the case and confirm the movement's components. The main drawback to this, for me, is the indeterminable processing/shipping time could fall outside PayPal's 60-day protection window, if determined as a fake . Oh well, thanks all for your replies (and comparison, toph).

here are 2 pics i have on my pc that might help. not a perfect reference against yours but something

[timefleas]

For Paypal authentication, you do not need to have IWC Switzerland authenticate the watch for you--any competent, licensed watch tech can look at the watch, open the case, and write a letter verifying whether it is authentic or not. I have brought three different sellers to task with Paypal, and oddly two of the three involved the authenticity of IWCs--in all cases I had the same independent watchmaker write letters after seeing the watch, and in all cases, I won the dispute, and received my money back.

[machgear]

Thanks for the pics, toph. I'm unable to spot any differences either.

Great advice, timefleas - I'd contacted the Omega FAD and he'd recommended a local IWC servicing guy who said he can open the case to verify for a small fee. Thanks much for saving me $$ and weeks (if not months) of waiting!

[CitizenM]

Can't you at least contact IWC and see if the numbers in the paperwork and the watch match with the right model and so on?

Taking the caseback off and getting some photos of the movement would clear it up too.

In rare situations, there are some watches that are neither fakes nor legit. I've been told, but have never seen it myself, that sometimes when a watch is finished and has a defect, it's just destroyed or given away. I don't know if that's real though.

[machgear]

The paperwork didn't have any serial# but the warranty card's number matches the watch's.

The watch servicing technician (referred by Omega FAD) was originally suspicious of the Valjoux 7750's lack of IWC stamps. The only part that had a IWC stamp was on the pendulum arm, but the number of jewels matches the description in the paperwork. Upon further investigation, he'd concluded that the movement is most-likely authentic. He'd said the case screws from the bottom of the case were not the original and their longer length had caused the two bumps on top of the case. Polishing the case to "file-down" these bumps could reveal holes and had advised against it. So my question to you all is what would you do: keep this watch with the minor "flaw" or return it? I honestly don't know what to do. I'd paid $4500 for it.