3861 movement broken? *Update: Read First Post*

Archer

Based on "anecdotal" evidence? Well that's an odd way to put it. These things are replaced because they need to be replaced in order for Omega to provide a proper warranty.

ducatiti

.... I just didn't want to bring it in for service within the five years which I find premature.

........

stevec14

*UPDATE JULY 2021*

As is mentioned in the following post:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/3861-movement-broken-update-read-first-post.120071/page-11#post-1819733

Omega has made a modification to the 3861 movement by changing a bushing in the movement to a replacement made of a different material, and has also altered the recommended oiling procedure to remedy the issue. Within a short period of time all new 3861 movements should have that change implemented from the factory and any that do have issues should be covered under warranty and will likely be upgraded at the time of their first service.

*Edit by mods*

Hi guys,

I’ve been the owner of an Apollo 11 for 9 months now. Absolutely love it, but fear my watch is broken.

I noticed yesterday it was acting a bit strangely but today it seems like the movement has gone wrong.

1. every time I start the chrono, the chrono hand moves one second and then stops. At this point the whole watch stops

2. when I stop the chrono, the seconds hand in the subdial starts going again

3. sometimes the chrono hand starts to move again if I reactivate but then stops usually at about 20 seconds

4. This morning I reset the chrono and gave a full wind to see if the watch worked properly minus the chrono. It seems to, but I noticed by about 3pm (approx 5 hrs after winding) that it had lost maybe 10 seconds.

5. At 4.50 the watch stopped - so just over 7 hours since it had been wound.

6. I’ve re wound it and it starts again. When I activate the chrono it gets to 58 seconds (which is when I guess the minute counter is engaged) and then stops. As the chrono stops, the whole watch does again.

at the risk of stating the obvious, it would seem the watch is not holding power - but I don’t know whether the way the chronograph is acting is something to do with that. No issues winding the watch at all, and the watch has had no knocks etc.

whilst I realise the solution is to send to omega for warranty repair, has anyone had similar issues with the 3861, and does anyone know what may cause this?

it’s disappointing but there are a lot of worse things going on in the world, than a mechanical watch going wrong But am likely to be without it for a period of time I suspect.

If anyone knows what may be causing the issue, would be glad to hear. The chrono wouldn’t get past 20 seconds this morning and now it can do the 58 seconds. Very odd indeed.

cheers,
Steve

atomicspinr

I received my Apollo 11 50th anniversary speedmaster in January 2020. I average wearing this awesome watch about 5 days each month so it is lightly used. I typically run the chronograph when wearing the watch. I noticed that the watch would stop early after a full wind in August 2021. Now, the chronograph will not function. If I reset the time, it may run for 5 mins or up to an hour. Very similar symptoms as those described in this thread. Very sad that I had to find out about a generic problem with this watch on a forum; I wish Omega would notify owners of this issue. I’ll bring the watch into a boutique for warranty repair, less than 2 years after purchasing. Love this watch but not happy about this reliability issue.

Evitzee

Omega's spec for the 3861 is 50 hours without running the chrono.

Doc Olives

I'll be adding this in to the 3861 thread I started as well (so apologies for a bit of double posting). But, I received my (second) replacement 3861 today. Based on some guidance from the forum members here, I asked the AD if they could wait until they got some brand new 3861 stock in from Omega, which they did, and also run and test the chronograph for me for a few days, which they also did.

The part that is more relevant to this thread is that in my discussions with the head of customer service at the AD, he indicated that: (a) he had become aware of the 3861 "issue" described in this thread; (b) he had spoken to Omega about the issue; and (c) that Omega told him that the 3861 watches now shipping from Omega have had the 3861 "issue" addressed at the factory.

Obviously take with a grain of salt (or a shaker), and it is double hearsay, but it is also information I definitely wanted to hear and the timeline would more or less seem to make sense.

Cheers.

ducatiti

Did they mention an effective date when the issue has been addressed in terms of the shipped out date?

stevec14

*UPDATE JULY 2021*

As is mentioned in the following post:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/3861-movement-broken-update-read-first-post.120071/page-11#post-1819733

Omega has made a modification to the 3861 movement by changing a bushing in the movement to a replacement made of a different material, and has also altered the recommended oiling procedure to remedy the issue. Within a short period of time all new 3861 movements should have that change implemented from the factory and any that do have issues should be covered under warranty and will likely be upgraded at the time of their first service.

*Edit by mods*

Hi guys,

I’ve been the owner of an Apollo 11 for 9 months now. Absolutely love it, but fear my watch is broken.

I noticed yesterday it was acting a bit strangely but today it seems like the movement has gone wrong.

1. every time I start the chrono, the chrono hand moves one second and then stops. At this point the whole watch stops

2. when I stop the chrono, the seconds hand in the subdial starts going again

3. sometimes the chrono hand starts to move again if I reactivate but then stops usually at about 20 seconds

4. This morning I reset the chrono and gave a full wind to see if the watch worked properly minus the chrono. It seems to, but I noticed by about 3pm (approx 5 hrs after winding) that it had lost maybe 10 seconds.

5. At 4.50 the watch stopped - so just over 7 hours since it had been wound.

6. I’ve re wound it and it starts again. When I activate the chrono it gets to 58 seconds (which is when I guess the minute counter is engaged) and then stops. As the chrono stops, the whole watch does again.

at the risk of stating the obvious, it would seem the watch is not holding power - but I don’t know whether the way the chronograph is acting is something to do with that. No issues winding the watch at all, and the watch has had no knocks etc.

whilst I realise the solution is to send to omega for warranty repair, has anyone had similar issues with the 3861, and does anyone know what may cause this?

it’s disappointing but there are a lot of worse things going on in the world, than a mechanical watch going wrong But am likely to be without it for a period of time I suspect.

If anyone knows what may be causing the issue, would be glad to hear. The chrono wouldn’t get past 20 seconds this morning and now it can do the 58 seconds. Very odd indeed.

cheers,
Steve

MikiJ

FWIW: Earlier this week I was informed that the parts necessary to correct the power reserve issues with my new 3861 were received and my watch is scheduled to be returned to me Oct. 6. Now that they know the problem and have the parts I'd like to think that before they ship any more 3861s these new parts and the problem will be resolved.Nice thought 😉

MikiJ

So much for Oct. 6...latest completion date is now Nov. 6. At this rate I'll be lucky to have it back on my wrist by Christmas. We'll see 🙄

perplexed

My AD called today with similar news. Initial estimated completion date was next week, but it looks like that’s pushed out by another three weeks to mid-Nov. If the delay results in a fix with the updated bushing, rather than just adding more oil to the existing parts, I’m OK waiting a few weeks more.

U Ultraslan82

Adding my 2 cents here. ...

.. I ordered the watch through Omega, late February. Reading the comments, it seems as if the issue still persists even after service, and it’s only a matter of time until the issue shows up again, ..
... .

Pazzo

Are you sure that your watch is one of those samples that had the bushing issue already seen to?

U Ultraslan82

No, I don’t think so.

... …

U Ultraslan82

But given that some members here are still reporting the same issue even after a service/replacement, this gives me little confidence.