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3861 bracelet mystery defect

Lug
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FWIW I really like my 3861 bracelet, defect notwithstanding. It’s super comfortable and very well built, and looks incredible. My only gripe is the lack of on-the-fly adjustability, but I’m hoping to get the new buckle when it becomes available…

Does anyone know anything about this:

Lug Lug
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?
 
YY77
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Lug Lug
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?
You can go the AD where you purchased it (an other AD as well but they will likely charge you handling cost) or the OB which is closest to you.
 
K
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Hi everyone, I just bought a 1861 bracelet in Omega store from Geneva and believe what.. I have the same marks as you have!

Last Wednesday around 3 pm, I went to the store to pick up my bracelet and was very happy with it. My biggest fear was that the end links would scratch the case as they do not align perfectly with the lugs but it was a relief when I noticed they don't even touch the lugs.
I have read on different threads that it can feel too light, sharp or hair grabbing but it's none of those, very well done and robust.

Wednesday evening I noticed marks on some links, not as bad as yours but enough to bring it back. The next day I went back to the store and they didn't have any explanation, they were very comprehensive and gave me another one.
On my way home as I was taking picture to send to my friend, I noticed the exact same marks!! Same links and stuff! This is of course very weird because on both bracelets, the bottom part seems not to have this problem, only links on the upper part, the one connected at 12h.

Long story short, I went back, they offered a pay back but I kept the bracelet in hope they do not become worse. I believe this is a manufacturing problem and I have sent them a mail with pictures that they've forwarded to Omega customer care.

Here some pictures of the first bracelet:

IMG_0514.jpeg IMG_0517.jpeg IMG_0521.jpeg


And some of the new one:
IMG_0527.jpeg IMG_0528.jpeg IMG_0529.jpeg
 
Lug
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K Kratos
Hi everyone, I just bought a 1861 bracelet in Omega store from Geneva and believe what.. I have the same marks as you have!

Ah, so I'm not the only one!

Interesting that the marks appeared on the replacement bracelet also, perhaps they were both from the same batch... I think it's fairly likely that the marks will become worse over time - mine also started as faint brown 'burns' like yours, but darkened over time into the much more solid marks you can see in my photos. Keep us apprised of any changes!

rahbarin rahbarin
Keep us updated I’m curious what they will tell you.

I certainly will... I'm going to take it to the OB in Birmingham Bullring and am hoping they'll simply give me a replacement...
 
Nipson
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That story becomes interesting... I would love to know the exact technical reason!
I just checked mine, 3861 Hesalite - fully brushed, no issue so far. It is almost a year old.
 
Lug
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Update:

I took the watch into one of the OBs in London and asked for a replacement bracelet. The watchmaker there had a look at it and said he thought the blemishes could be polished off, so they would have to send it to be serviced. I got the impression he thought I'd made the marks myself somehow, although he didn't say that directly.

I then got a call a week or so later to let me know they had decided not to repair it and would give me a replacement after all. They mentioned that the old one would be kept for 'investigations' and of course I asked them to keep me informed, but I'm not holding my breath...

So now I have a new bracelet, sans defects, but I am none the wiser about the origin of the mystery marks!
 
Aroxx
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Sounds to me like they had a defective batch and the mothership knows it. I heard directly from an OB employee that communication from the mothership is less than stellar so no surprise the front lines are unaware and tried to handle as a normal repair.
 
hen
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The closest thing I can think of is heat oxidation or heat tint on stainless steel. As if the insides were machined with a dull bit or something and got too hot. I have no idea how this heat tint have not been policed out in production or how these bracelet are made, just a guess.
 
rudagger
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Lug Lug
Update:

I took the watch into one of the OBs in London and asked for a replacement bracelet. The watchmaker there had a look at it and said he thought the blemishes could be polished off, so they would have to send it to be serviced. I got the impression he thought I'd made the marks myself somehow, although he didn't say that directly.

I then got a call a week or so later to let me know they had decided not to repair it and would give me a replacement after all. They mentioned that the old one would be kept for 'investigations' and of course I asked them to keep me informed, but I'm not holding my breath...

So now I have a new bracelet, sans defects, but I am none the wiser about the origin of the mystery marks!
Thanks for the update. It's always frustrating to get sucked into a story and not know the ending 😀

This is like the end of a movie. Maybe there will be a sequel, where we learn more, but likely not as you said.
 
EuroDriver
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That type of discoloration is typical of low grade stainless steel. I've often seen it as a topic of discussion in the arena of high-end knives.
 
hen
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EuroDriver EuroDriver
That type of discoloration is typical of low grade stainless steel. I've often seen it as a topic of discussion in the arena of high-end knives.

Do you know if it is heat tint, corrosion or what causes it? Strange that the staining is so consistent, making me think it was something in the production related to heat. But I`m only speculating, I have an interest in metals.

BTW Isnt the bracelet mad of 316 also? would think that with its ca 18 % Chromium and 12 % Nickel it would be classed as a high grade SS.
 
C
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I suspect it to be friction. I've seen this one a couple of other bracelets I own.
 
Evitzee
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C Chris_AT
I suspect it to be friction. I've seen this one a couple of other bracelets I own.
Friction in the manufacturing process, possibly. Friction by wearing it, no.
 
YandB
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yeah mine has a few of these marks, appears to be from the links rubbing each other.
 
Lug
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Evitzee Evitzee
Friction in the manufacturing process, possibly. Friction by wearing it, no.

Yes, these marks were present when I bought the watch (although I didn't notice them at first as I was in a state of high excitement about my purchase) - see attached photos which I took on the day. As I said previously, they started as faint brown 'burn marks' and solidified over time into much more pronounced lines, evenly placed at the edges of the outside links.

Interesting to read that @EuroDriver has seen this on high-end knives, and @hen's theory that it might be something to do with heat in the production process seems very plausible... I'm going to email Omega this afternoon to request an update on their investigations and will let you all know if I hear anything (although I'm not holding my breath).

IMG_1901.jpeg IMG_1901.jpg
 
S
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Lug Lug
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

I am having the same issue on my Speedmaster purchased in July. Rusting on two links (not as bad as yours but I caught it early). Sent it back within the first week of ownership for warranty work. Omega is denying it is their issue. Any suggestions on how to deal with this? I would very much appreciate it
 
EuroDriver
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It's probably out of the hands of your SA so be polite and don't take it out on them. At this point it's pretty much guaranteed they're not going to replace it, so ask them if they can refinish it for you.

Otherwise if it really bothers you, express your disappointment and ask if they'll give you a generous discount on replacement links.
 
S
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EuroDriver EuroDriver
It's probably out of the hands of your SA so be polite and don't take it out on them. At this point it's pretty much guaranteed they're not going to replace it, so ask them if they can refinish it for you.

Otherwise if it really bothers you, express your disappointment and ask if they'll give you a generous discount on replacement links.

Agreed. I have a long term relationship with my SA and he’s been fighting for me in this situation so I definitely don’t blame him, but it looks like the area rep isn’t budging. Normally, this type of issue wouldn’t bother me. I beat my watches and resale is the last thing on my mind. But if this is a smelting issue, it should really be handled (imo) by Omega. We have looked into refinishing as an option, but I’d like to not void the warranty if possible (if refinishing would do so) and also I feel like, off principal, I shouldn’t have to shave metal after spending good money on a brand new watch. Clearly Omega has seen this issue before.
 
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