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3861 bracelet mystery defect

Lug
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I’m hoping some of you might be able to shed light on the strange marks which appeared on the links of my 3861 bracelet a month or so after purchase. They can be seen quite clearly in the attached photo, a few mm from the outside edges of most of the links. They are slightly brownish and have a kind of ‘burned’ look, and have become more prominent over time. At first only a few links were affected but now almost all have the marks. They do not wash off and almost appear to be a blemish emanating from the metal itself. They are weirdly uniform but I can’t work out what’s caused them - I can’t see anything which they could be rubbing against and I did not make them myself. Very odd indeed. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

A85AA8A5-5173-46DF-932A-0C5543E51E53.jpeg
 
Doc Olives
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Can’t quite tell from the photo, but presuming that if you took the photo from the opposite direction there would be essentially identical marks on the inside or matching links? If yes then I would assume the marks are from the links rubbing against each other over time - which I wouldn’t think should happen to the degree of discoloration absent a finishing defect or coming into contact with very high heat or potentially some very aggressive salt water on multiple occasions.

Stainless isn’t impervious to staining or discoloration, but in watch grade steel, that’s very uncommon. Also curious if it’s just cosmetic/discoloration, or if there is actual abrasion to the metal you can feel?

No matter what, doesn’t sound right to me and unless someone on here has the definite answer, I would be asking Omega to take a good look at that bracelet for you.
 
SC1
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Either rubbing/friction or something got in there that didn't get washed off - acid solution, salt, mineral, chemical... OP, did you wear it while doing anything like yard work, construction, perhaps building an doomsday device?
 
Lug
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Thanks for all the replies. I thought it might be rubbing too, but in fact there are no marks on the adjoining links, although there are identical marks on the reverse of the affected links (see photo below). It’s definitely not dirt, and I have not worn the watch while doing any yard work or while building a dirty bomb (I always take it off for that). The thing which baffles me is that the marks appear uniformly at the same point on all the affected links, and there are no blemishes on any of the centre links.

05817FCD-8151-40FA-B558-449B93F5871E.jpeg
 
Evitzee
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That's very odd. But the repetitive nature of the marks would lean towards some sort of manufacturing issue rather than something that happened in the field. Take it to an OB and have it addressed, I'd be looking for a replacement bracelet.
Edited:
 
Lug
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Thanks again for your comments - looks like it’s a ‘back to Omega’ situation… do any of you know if it has to go back to the AD where I bought it, or will any OB deal with a defective Omega product?
 
7enderbender
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Exactly what I expected from this light, flexible, flimsy bracelet and why I picked up a 1861 while I still could. Parts rubbing against each other after only a few months. Just wait how these will look ten years from now.
And it’s not that this style of bracelet can’t be done right. My Speedy from 1990 that I wore pretty much daily for almost 30 years doesn’t show marks like that and in fact still looks and like new. I would expect this here with whatever material that actually is.
 
Evitzee
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7enderbender 7enderbender
Exactly what I expected from this light, flexible, flimsy bracelet and why I picked up a 1861 while I still could. Parts rubbing against each other after only a few months. Just wait how these will look ten years from now.
And it’s not that this style of bracelet can’t be done right. My Speedy from 1990 that I wore pretty much daily for almost 30 years doesn’t show marks like that and in fact still looks and like new. I would expect this here with whatever material that actually is.
This doesn't look like it is due to rubbing, that's the point of the OP's question. Obviously you don't like the new 3861 bracelets and like the older 1861 style better, just your personal opinion not shared by most people. I doubt these marks are due to the design of this new bracelet, the marks aren't where they would be if it was rubbing issue.
 
Aroxx
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7enderbender 7enderbender
Exactly what I expected from this light, flexible, flimsy bracelet and why I picked up a 1861 while I still could. Parts rubbing against each other after only a few months. Just wait how these will look ten years from now.
And it’s not that this style of bracelet can’t be done right. My Speedy from 1990 that I wore pretty much daily for almost 30 years doesn’t show marks like that and in fact still looks and like new. I would expect this here with whatever material that actually is.
Also lots of people here with 3861s including myself and no issues. This one appears defective.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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7enderbender 7enderbender
Exactly what I expected from this light, flexible, flimsy bracelet
This makes me wonder if you have ever handled a 3861 bracelet. I’ve had several 3861 bracelets and have never considered them light, flimsy, or flexible. The solid links, by nature, make them heavier and more robust. They aren’t flexible either but the links articulate and lay over the wrist well. The links have enough clearance and shouldn’t touch/rub, so like others, I believe this is a defective bracelet.
 
7enderbender
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
This makes me wonder if you have ever handled a 3861 bracelet. I’ve had several 3861 bracelets and have never considered them light, flimsy, or flexible. The solid links, by nature, make them heavier and more robust. They aren’t flexible either but the links articulate and lay over the wrist well. The links have enough clearance and shouldn’t touch/rub, so like others, I believe this is a defective bracelet.

I have in an OB when both were still available at the same time. So I was able to compare them side by side.
 
Omegafanman
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
This makes me wonder if you have ever handled a 3861 bracelet. I’ve had several 3861 bracelets and have never considered them light, flimsy, or flexible. The solid links, by nature, make them heavier and more robust. They aren’t flexible either but the links articulate and lay over the wrist well. The links have enough clearance and shouldn’t touch/rub, so like others, I believe this is a defective bracelet.

I just checked mine which has had a lot of wrist time and all is fine / strong and the links dont rub....although this week it is due to get a rubber strap option ... will see how that looks
 
Omegafanman
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It looks like a manufacturing process issue / contamination on the steel - too consistant and uniform to be from day to day use?
Get it sent back and they will sort it out.
 
jjjones
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7enderbender 7enderbender
Exactly what I expected from this light, flexible, flimsy bracelet and why I picked up a 1861 while I still could.

No offence but the 1861 bracelet is trash.
 
SC1
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No iron in this particular bracelet fire but the 3861 bracelet is a very nice, robust, item.
 
Omegafanman
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jjjones jjjones
No offence but the 1861 bracelet is trash.

That is your opinion - I dont mind mine and they sold thousands for many years, and for a shiny penny. It is down to personal taste and both are robust and functional IMHO. Having better adjustment and an easier way to shorten them would be nice. Pins and screws are another interesting debate to have.
 
Meme-Dweller
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Omegafanman Omegafanman
That is your opinion - I dont mind mine and they sold thousands for many years, and for a shiny penny. It is down to personal taste and both are robust and functional IMHO. Having better adjustment and an easier way to shorten them would be nice. Pins and screws are another interesting debate to have.
He's right, the 1861 bracelet with screws is pretty trash when worn. Bulky and heavy for no reason.... doesn't fit the watch at all and throws off the balance of the watch head if it's hesalite. The earlier version with pins & collars on the 3570.50, though it looks the same, is so much better.
 
jjjones
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The 3861 bracelet is vastly superior in everyway compared to the 1861 bracelet.

1861 bracelet is too thick and heavy with very little taper and bulky clasp. Its design, while original and not based off any previous speedmaster bracelets, which is also a negative for me. The only reason why they sold thousands is that it was the only modern speedmaster bracelet available for a long time.

If you were ask anyone who owns a Speedmaster that did not come with a bracelet (Snoopy 2/3, Ultraman etc) and wanted to purchase an oem bracelet, theyd be going for either the 3861 bracelet or the newer flat link bracelets over the 1861 bracelet.
 
gbesq
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I'm a vintage Speedmaster owner and haven't tried the 3861 bracelet, but I have to agree with those who aren't fans of the 1861 bracelet. When I owned that watch, I found the bracelet to be unnecessarily heavy/bulky and hard to fit, and I ended up eventually selling the watch largely because of the bracelet. I'm much happier with my '69 861 Straight Writing with the 1175/640 flat link bracelet. For my money, the best of the modern bracelets that I've tried is the 1479/812 that came with the 3590.50 - good build quality, fully brushed and with a nice vintage look.
Edited:
 
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