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Cracks on Forerunner 645 Music body

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

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0 reginalb over 5 years ago

It could be worse, my watch just fell off while running. I initiated a replacement with Garmin.

Garmin USA is replacing mine (allegedly). I'd be taking them to small claims court if they tried to tell me I had to pay them for replacing their obviously defective product. Mine did the exact same thing that yours did. Came off while running, looks just like that. I don't know what the process would be where you are, but man I'd be taking that up the chain, there must be recourse for you.

0 seilogramp over 5 years ago

Curious why you're having to pay for this. What was Garmin's reasoning?

0 Fraggler over 5 years ago

I received my replacement under warranty yesterday (they sent it fast after receiving but had the address wrong). I'll keep an eye on it because I think it will happen again... You don't notice the cracks until it finally breaks.

0 SaidB over 5 years ago

I'm still waiting for my replacement.
The shop I bought it originally informed me that Garmin France had 3 weeks delay processing all their post-sales requests. I then should have mine back at the end of January.

0 dbrown007 over 5 years ago

Received my replacement watch in the post last night. It took about 3 weeks overall, but due to Christmas / New Year holidays in New Zealand that's not a big surprise.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

Garmin USA is replacing mine (allegedly). I'd be taking them to small claims court if they tried to tell me I had to pay them for replacing their obviously defective product. Mine did the exact same thing that yours did. Came off while running, looks just like that. I don't know what the process would be where you are, but man I'd be taking that up the chain, there must be recourse for you.

Unfortunately in The Netherlands we don't have a small claims court. The cost of the law suit alone would be way higher than any refund I might get. I received my replacement and sold it the same day. Since I'm extremely dissapointed with Garmin I switched to a different brand (with better service..)

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

Curious why you're having to pay for this. What was Garmin's reasoning?

Well, according to Garmin I caused the damage. I must have worn it way too tight I guess. That might explain why my fingers fell off as well ;)

0 reginalb over 5 years ago

Unfortunately in The Netherlands we don't have a small claims court. The cost of the law suit alone would be way higher than any refund I might get. I received my replacement and sold it the same day. Since I'm extremely dissapointed with Garmin I switched to a different brand (with better service..)

Ugh, that's awful. I'd surely not be doing business with them again either. Garmin USA was much better to deal with on the same issue.

0 pcraenme over 5 years ago

hem1968 Don’t you have a legal council insurance (rechtsbijstandsverzekering)?

0 SaidB over 5 years ago

Hello guys,

It's been 2 months now that I initiated this post after sending back my watch to the store.
Unfortunately, compared to the volume of sales, the number of reports is far too low for Garmin to accept their responsibility here.

I've received last week a quote from Garmin through the store and they wanted be to pay 60€ for repair.
Those 60€ as per the store are usually to be their standard price for screen replacement.
They argued that I must have used my watch inappropriately which sounds crazy, how can one use a watch inappropriately?!?!

I've disputed this quote immediately and I'm now still waiting for their feedback.

Will keep this post updated and I'm more and more leaning towards reselling immediately when I get it back.
I need to trust an item I'm wearing daily...