Back button issue? 2 new watches broken watches in 24 hours

The sea. Swimming and surfing. 

So it's the sea water and not just taking a shower or swimming in the pool?

Swimming in a pool is what did it for me (all four times)

Garmin Bug said:

So it's the sea water and not just taking a shower or swimming in the pool

Not necessarily. While swimming might contribute to button failure it's by no means the sole reason. I swim several times a week most weeks in the sea and not had any problems.

Most users that had problem say they used watch for swimming (sea or pool, usually for a couple months before it broke but sometimes even just after a few swim sessions) and surfing (sea, usually broke far more quickly). Some of those users replaced watches several times, and some of them used Garmin watches of previous generations without this issue. 

Most likely cause: bad/inadequate quality of buttons in Garmin 7 and Epix 2 watches. Not all watches are affected but many are, and even newer batches have same issue. Pro versions of watches have same issue as well. 

Other potential cause: all users that reported these problems keep pressing buttons underwater until their watches fail. I do not believe that is the case but it is theoretically possible. If that was the case, their previous generation watches would also break when using them in water, and Garmin surely would not replace 4 times watch that user broke in that way. 

You be the judge and conclude for yourself. 

Vizi said:

all users that reported these problems keep pressing buttons underwater until their watches fail.

Really? And that would be no surprise surely? After all, Garmin expressly say to not press the buttons underwater.

Please, also show the posts where users have posted that that they 

Vizi said:

keep pressing buttons underwater until their watches fail.

Like others here, I am well aware that people report problems following swims but I cannot recall anyone trying to force a failure in the manner suggested. 

You misunderstood my post. Read it again, it clearly states my opinion. I said that is theoretical possibility that users broke watches in that way but that it not likely to happen and explained why. Which means it is hardware failure due to bad quality. 

Hi. Well I am one of those... I wouldn't say I tried to force a faliure, but i did test it. 

First time I was in the water after I got a replacement epix I made sure to press the buttnos couple of times...it was 10 button presses total while the watch was either wet but out of the watter or submerged 5cm under surface. 

Unfortunately the down button stopped responding.

I am avare of what Garmin guidelines of watter usage but on the other hand multisport (read triathlon) watch should tolerate this type of use case.

Hope this helps someone. 

P.S. I bought a used fenix 6. It is not as nice for sure, but it i still working tho.

I'm on my fourth Epix gen2, but previously owned a Fenix 6, a Fenix 5 and a 920XT.  Used them all in the same way (including pressing buttons under water - it's a swim watch!!).  Only the Epix gen 2 has failed.  I agree the most likely explanation is that they used substandard components in this one.