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Cracks on Forerunner 645 Music body

SaidB
over 6 years ago
Hello garmin users,

I just wanted to highlight some issues I recently discovered on my black645M. I have it since March and had no issues till last week.

When I removed it after a run, the band detached itself and that's when I discovered that the body was cracked where the band pin inserts into the body of the watch
What's worse (if that's possible) is that after inspecting the entire body, I've found that the 3 other holes for the pin were also starting to crack.

I am very cautious with my watch that has never been shocked in any manner. I do switch bands sometimes (official garmin bands) and I'm always careful when doing so.
I don't understand how this piece can be so fragile after only 9 months of not so heavy use, I'm wearing it daily at work and I've been running with it only around 40 times (no swimming).

I've just returned it to the shop as it is still under warranty and I hope that Garmin won't make any trouble to replace it but I'm now afraid that such an expensive piece of gear may not last that long finally... My previous Vivoactive HR died after 9 months also but this time it was after a one sessions at a swimming pool so the water proofing was probably faulty that time.
I can't afford a Fenix Chronos that is full metal nor want to carry such a heavy watch, the F645M is the perfect size for me and has the functions I want in a watch...

I'm adding some pictures of the cracks so you can see what it looks like.

I've seen similar posts for other models but nothing so far for this watch. Has anyone faced that already? ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1431516.png ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1431517.jpg
  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to RickyDive

    Questo è il mio prima di essere inviato in assistenza.

    This is mine before sending it (hoping) for a replacement.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to RickyDive

    I had the same thing happen to my watch. I had it for about 13 months when it broke. I was always very careful when changing out the bands. One morning i and taking off my jacket and the watch just falls on the floor. At first i thought maybe the pin come out but no it had cracked just like in your picture. I tried calling but was on hold forever so i happen to be on FaceBook and saw a thread where Garmin was promoting this very watch. Someone on the thread was asking about the watch so i responded by saying they better watch out because i had my watch for 13 months and it broke..it wasn't ten minutes and i got a private message from Garmin on Facebook asking me for pictures and info on my watch..after i sent them my pics and info they sent me a what looked like a new watch. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to vanessa40

    As you suggest, I just wrote a message to Garmin USA. Cross finger for me and my F645m. Thank You.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to RickyDive

    No replies to my emails and messages on their Twitter account. I do not have a Facebook account, but if it works for you I'll be happy to create one for this purpose. Crossing fingers...

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to vanessa40

    I just receive an answer to my message on Facebook that they take care of my problem and forward my request to the local Italian Subsidiary. I am waiting for a call (hope)...

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to RickyDive

    After 4 emails, various messages on their USA and Italian Twitter accounts, 2 phone calls and some chat during which every time they told me my 645m won't be replaced under warranty, last week I accepted to pay for a replacement. 

    After a couple of days they sent me an email with the shipping document and do you know what? 

    The last sentence on this document says: "Replaced under warranty ".

    It should be delivered today. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it will really be the end of this story.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I discovered cracks on 3 of the posts on my non-music 645 while changing the band. It was purchased in Oct 2018, so out of warranty. Nonetheless, Garmin looked at the pics I sent along with a link to this thread and sent me a brand new-in-box replacement. I only had to pay to ship my original watch back. This is a great watch, and I'm happy with the way Garmin handled this for me. FWIW, I'm in the US. Definitely contact them if you have this problem.

    Kevin

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I have the same problem today, open a ticket to Garmin and waiting for a solution. I bought mine in March 2018 and use only while running.

    I think if I used it all day it would happen earlier...

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to GabrielD

    Exactly. I think wearing it 24h, especially while sleeping, causes the major problems, because inevitably the wristband stresses more the body of the watch if you move a lot when you sleep. And this is much more important if you put a metal band on the watch. Anyway, I had mine replaced under warranty with a new 645m and I can't help being worried that it will fall apart one day even if I take extremely care of it as I always did with the previous one. It's a major production issue about this watch imho, but I also wonder whether other models with the same body structure suffer the same ruptures...

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to GabrielD

    Thanks to 3M to support us and avoid a functional $450 device to go to trash due to the fact that Garmin does not recognize this is a design failure. Cheers!