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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

    Watch purchased on 11/23/2018, replaced under warranty on 5/6/2019, yesterday still crack on the attachment of the strap, the 645 is a bankruptcy project built with poor material, such a thing is not possible, 450 euros and 2 breaks in a year and a half.
    Once the lockdown is over I will go back to assistance that for Italy is in Milan and I can go there in person, I hope they will give me the opportunity to exchange with another model otherwise I am sure that once the guarantee is over I will have to throw it away, I am really disappointed.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Luca

    The same happened to my 645 non music today. I bought it on December 2018 and today the lug just broke. I do not wear it everyday, just three or four days of the week, never in sea water, the watch does not have any scratch. I emailed my local garmin center and if things do not go well, I'll have to contact Garmin central.

    Luckily it has not broken completely. If Garmin let me hung to dry, I'll try to fix it and will never buy a Garmin again.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I had bought a black 645m soon after its launch ,March 2018, about 4 months ago noticed hairline cracks on plastic lungs near the pin steel holder- based in APAC- no replacement/out warranty. Searched and found TPU protector ( much like phone case), online shops for 5$,very tight and sung fit ( a little push/shove/stretch to get the watch in), but holds very well. Though watch slightly bulky, not any heavier, doesn’t spoil the looks much, button are now nearly flush with case , however it took few days to get used to and best part the shop has different colours  to.match ! AND most importantly, the hairline crack hasn’t expanded any further and holding the lug and pin securely.-extended life !. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 5876761

    I bought on eBay the same case a few weeks ago, but unfortunately the crack on my lug came earlier than the case. Now I am waiting to see if they replace my watch and if they will, I'll surely use it. It looks like this case can offer some relief on the lugs, but that's not a proper solution, just a medicine for a design flaw. As I read, the exact same thing happens to Vivoactives as well.

    Edit: Today I received an email from my local Garmin service center and they told me that they will replace my 645 free of charge.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    same happened to mine one side cracked i glued it back then 3 weeks later the opposite side cracked the area where the pin locates i am amazed that the wall thinness is very very thin 1mm this must  be a common fault i will be returning the watch to argos UK only had for 2 months i like the watch a lot but this fault will reoccur am sure 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Yes.  I had this watch replaced once because it was under warranty and the case broke at the band pin.  The watch they sent me broke today in the same spot.  I also just wear it daily, no swimming, don't shower with it.  Second watch lasted 1 year and 1/2.  First lasted 9 months.  It's not under warranty anymore.  Have to purchase a new watch.  This is a fault in the design.  Where the band pins connect should be metal, not plastic.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 5150083

    Just curious... do you switch bands a lot on the watch? I wonder if the forces that are put on the lugs when switching bands could cause this issue after some time. I never switch bands on my 645 and haven’t noticed any issues after wearing the watch almost 24x7 for 2 years.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Voodooman

    I joined the "club"  about 2 weeks ago :-/ . I send my 645 to a store, they accepted reclamation and I am waiting for refubrished/new one.

    I read about this problem when i was buying a watch from second hand, it was ok for about 6 months, but as I just menthion 2 weeks ago I looked at my watch when I was resting on a bike trip and ...

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    about a year ago I had the same problem, support sent me a new one, two days ago the new one broke in the same way

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    about a year ago I had the same problem, support sent me a new one, two days ago the new one broke in the same way