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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 SaidB over 6 years ago

Should I already get in contact with my dealer?

Unfortunately, I knew that upon starting this thread I would get more people to look carefully at their watch and that it would attract complaints.

Yes, you should contact your dealer as he will see that this is not due to any shock or else.
Mine told me it would take around 1 month to get feedback from Garmin and I hope I won't get any dispute from them.

If plenty people report the same issue this should not be considered as due to usage. And honestly, even if it was the case the watch should handle tough usage because after all this is not just a piece of jewelry but instead a sport watch made for trial running as well as swimming.

0 Scorp1981 over 6 years ago

Count me in... My wife's one broke today, same place…She definitely didn't mistreat it. I'll contact Garmin next monday. Hopefully they'll be more forthcoming… I'll try to keep you posted.

It's a real shame! Up until now she was extremely happy with her watch!

0 Fraggler over 6 years ago

My band fell out yesterday too! One hole has broken-through while I can see cracked on the inside of the other 3 holes. I don't wear the band so tight it's uncomfortable and there's no physical damage elsewhere on the watch so they can't play the 'it's been dropped or knocked' game. I'll be quoting this thread when I contact them on Monday.

0 dbrown007 over 6 years ago

Just checked mine after reading this thread and noticed a small crack near one of my pin holes as well...

0 skopek over 6 years ago

Wow, this sounds scary.
I checked mine and it looks ok.
Hard to believe that all of you made some Karate moves with the watch.
Could it be that all of you went swimming? Just thinking if the chlorine can make the housing brittle.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

No, I have never worn it while swimming.

0 SaidB over 6 years ago

Wow, this sounds scary.
I checked mine and it looks ok.
Hard to believe that all of you made some Karate moves with the watch.
Could it be that all of you went swimming? Just thinking if the chlorine can make the housing brittle.

Hello,

I don't swim (with or without the watch) but I used to wash it under tap water after each run to remove sweat.

0 Fraggler over 6 years ago

I don't swim in mine either, wear it nearly all the time though. Running is the only sport I use it for. I tighten mine until it doesn't slip around or back and forth. I've submitted my photos to them and they're getting looked at so hopefully will have a response shortly.

The shapes of the cracks are quite obviously showing it's started from the metal insert pulling outwards and not from an external knock.

0 scotthunter2 over 6 years ago

I've been on the phone with Garmin for the last two days and the result is the same. They are not willing to replace my watch free of charge.

I was given 3 options by Garmin:
1) Pay 121 EUR to exchange with refurbished 645
2) Get my watch back. They will not charge me for shipping (how nice...)
3) Recycle my watch for free (very thoughtful and environmental friendly...)
Sorry if I sound a little sarcastic but seriously? Does Garmin really think that I will let them recycle my 7 months old watch and get nothing in return?

As said before, I am really dissapointed. Obviously I will pay the 121 EUR since I have no other option other to buy a brand new one. I will think twice though before I buy another Garmin product.

I would definitely get in touch with your local dealer to exchange your watch as soon as possible. Once it breaks it's too late.

Just buy from Wiggle UK. They are much nicer to deal with than Garmin Support. They will refund faulty units, no questions asked, so you can buy a new one again (instead of getting a refurbished unit from Garmin, or worse still, get nothing). In the UK, by law it's the retailer who should be your first point of contact, not the manufacturer (Sales of Goods Act, Distance Selling Regulations etc).

0 Unliving over 5 years ago

Good day all,
See attched my broken watch. in NL there are as far as i know 5 more simmilar cases like this. all broken at same spot. I've had the same options as above (scotthunter2). I just send the watch in for repair at my own cost and waiting for results back, because i didn's accept the options Garmin has given me, since i am not the only one with this problem. (it already took 4 weeks for a replay) I am not satisfied at this time about the support. the watch itself is fine, but i am maybe going to sell it once i get it back and buy different one, maybe the Garmin Instict or different brand.ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1439393.jpg