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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
  • Mine broke off today. No idea where the missing bit went so can’t even try to glue it back on. Logged a call with warranty (although have had it over 2 years). See how I go.

  • Mine broke a couple of days ago. Can’t find the missing bit so aren’t able to try and fix it myself. Have logged a ticket with support but not holding my breath as I’ve had it for over 2 years.

  • We will know for sure if this is a design fault when the 655 is released. I ended up selling my 645M before it breaks, which I believe would eventually happen. I've got the 945, definitely a more solid design and it didn't change from the 935. 

  • I am definitely more honest than Garmin who sells flawed products, I have protected my second 645M already cracked again, with the cover suggested by a forum member, for now everything is fine, I will keep it in stock and buy too I 945. Garmin shameful but when you enter it you do not go out anymore for the data

  • I compared the case of our 645 with that of the 245 which at first glance seem the same, but in reality in the 245 the strap supports are wider and more reinforced than ours, this is the proof that Garmin has realized that it has wrong design and changed it to the new model, regrettable.

  • I initially bought my Garmin FR645 in may 2018 when this watch was released in the Netherlands. Last year September 2019 my watch had on both lugs cracks. Garmin support exchanged my watch for a new/ refurbished watch. 
    Guess what happened today, I discovered new cracks on my watch. 

    I am really disappointed, Garmin seems to not take this issue serious. I paid €399 for a watch which has a life span of approximately 1 year. 

  • Yesterday I called the Dutch Garmin support desk after I didn’t receive any response from my email. They acknowledged that there is a flaw with the FR645 series and offered me an exchange for another Garmin watch. Their first offer was a Vivoactive 4 or a Venu but I declined and told them that’s not a serious alternative for runners. So they did a second offer for a FR945 with a small extra payment. So I would advice you all to call your Garmin support desk if any new cracks appear. 
    I am glad Garmin fixed my problem and I am looking forward to receiving my FR945 although I feel somewhat disappointed with having a flawed product. 

  • I buy used Fenix 5S Plus Sapphire, and sold my replaced on warranty FR645, so propably it will be anothers person problem in the future...

    This watch could be really nice, its lightweight (if i compare to Fenix 5S sapphire - now i used to it, but at the begining there was a diffirence), its almost perfect for me for many reasons, nice looking, really have potential but material/cracks - no this is a disqualification (i was looking at places where it cracks almost every day hehe) and some software issues that could be fixed (ofc if garmin want to).

    Garmin warranty process was really problemless & fast but at all I am a disapointed with 645.

  • Hello I have the same issue, but Garmin in Czech republic don´t want to replace my watch. I tried to claim the watch where I bought them, but I was twice rejected. Official reply from employee in Garmin Czech republic was that they only can give me sale on buying new watch. 

    But I want my 645m repaired and don´t know what else should I do. Can you please help me? 

  • Same issue for me as well. IS there an email for product support to get credit for recycling or deal on refurbished?

    Garmin645Music