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3861 movement broken? *Update: Read First Post*

pdxleaf
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PATRICK JP PATRICK JP
I fully agree with this and I do wonder if a recall was issued… I very much doubt they will do a public recall as their marketing may believe that it would tarnish their image vs the competition…

I was a bit uninformed when I asked this question about a recall. Because the Speedmaster is such a special watch, to have a problem, any problem, was unnerving. But the first round of co-axials had many more problems (as Archer pointed out in another thread), and of course, the recent Rolex issue with their initial release that lacked oil at the center wheel. No recalls were issued then either.

In short, no recall warranted. And my new 3861 has been keeping excellent time!
 
PATRICK JP
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R richard371
Do we know for sure if there is any correlation with the serial numbers being in order by date of manufacture? The one I returned a month ago due to the issue was 824*****, My AD got a couple in one is 829***** and one 834*****. I'm thinking to have him run the 834 with the chronograph running for 50 hours to see if it stops. I really like this watch and want to buy it back but id like to be "pretty certain" it has the upgraded bushing etc. Thanks
nicolamilton nicolamilton
It seems something similar to Rolex 32xx issue.


Wow ! Rolex 32xx has similar issues ?! ‍ I wonder how disgruntled their customers may be given the usually huge waiting lists for their products…
 
PATRICK JP
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
I was a bit uninformed when I asked this question about a recall. Because the Speedmaster is such a special watch, to have a problem, any problem, was unnerving. But the first round of co-axials had many more problems (as Archer pointed out in another thread), and of course, the recent Rolex issue with their initial release that lacked oil at the center wheel. No recalls were issued then either.

In short, no recall warranted. And my new 3861 has been keeping excellent time!

I never had any issues with any of my watches thus far running for 15+ years without any noticeable drop in performance _ ok, I am not fully testing them only comparing their time against my phone _ so I am fairly interested with this thread.

I am soon to buy my first Omega Seamaster 007 titanium. It’s calibre 8806 was released in 2017 so it should be proven by now, it has no complications hence I expect an excellent experience in par with all my other watches.
 
PATRICK JP
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Darlinboy Darlinboy
I'm glad this is happening. It really reinforces the superiority of the Rolex business model. With Omega, you can easily buy one, but then it fails because of a "defect", and you have to send in it for service. Meanwhile Omega have your money and you have no watch. At least with Rolex you can't even get one.

At least with Rolex you can’t even get one ! Excellent !
 
Archer
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PATRICK JP PATRICK JP
Wow ! Rolex 32xx has similar issues ?! ‍ I wonder how disgruntled their customers may be given the usually huge waiting lists for their products…

From all accounts I've heard, it has much bigger issues...
 
Bugbait
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PATRICK JP PATRICK JP
Wow ! Rolex 32xx has similar issues ?! ‍ I wonder how disgruntled their customers may be given the usually huge waiting lists for their products…

The Rolex customers probably aren't disgruntled at all. In fact, probably quite the opposite since they're privileged enough to own one that could go wrong in the first place! Can't beat that "superlative" marketing 😉.
 
Caliber561
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@Archer this is just tangentially related, but why do manufactures only sometimes use jewels for the center wheel holes, and could using jewels here have prevented the issue?

Bugbait Bugbait
The Rolex customers probably aren't disgruntled at all. In fact, probably quite the opposite since they're privileged enough to own one that could go wrong in the first place! Can't beat that "superlative" marketing 😉.
I'd be willing to bet that most Rolex watches either sit in storage safes or grey dealer vaults, so the issue isn't often noticed.
 
Archer
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Caliber561 Caliber561
@Archer this is just tangentially related, but why do manufactures only sometimes use jewels for the center wheel holes, and could using jewels here have prevented the issue?

Tough question to answer with any confidence not knowing the details of the engineering decisions that went into the movement. So first, using either a bushing or jewel, as opposed to just a hole in the main plate (like the 321, 861, and 1861) is really about reparability more than anything. It's much easier to press out a jewel or bushing, than it is to bore out the worn hole while maintaining center, cutting a new bushing, inserting it, and boring that out to final size (been there, done that).

But the decision to use a bushing compared to a jewel, is a little tougher to determine. I can only speculate, but a jewel would typically have less friction that a bushing, so you would think that would be a good thing - but not always. Friction will affect the balance amplitude (all else being equal) and it's quite possible that by using a jewel, the balance amplitude would rise to a level that is too high, although this is not typically an issue with co-axial watches, so I'm speaking more generally. So using a bushing doesn't cause the increase in amplitude compared to just the plain hole in the plate for example.

Really the cost of each is the same, so the reason isn't costs, that's for sure.

Cheers, Al
 
B
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Wanted to update you all with the 3rd 3861 purchase being a solid movement. No lockups or issues and looking forward to much wrist time.
Previously had purchased from OMEGA Boutique. Much more details are available in the previous posts along with video links. Movement locked up with chrono running exchanged for another copy witch also locked up and returned to wait awhile for another copy.

Spoke with local AD who was aware of my previous experience (they had another copy have the lockup) and my current concerns of another problemed copy. They gave me two weeks to run it in/down with the ability to refund should it happen on the latest copy. Happy to say it's a keeper 😀
 
T
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After close to one month since getting my watch back from Omega service, things are looking good. Performed 3 power reserve tests and they all exceeded the 50 hours while maintaining +2 sec/day.
 
D
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Just to to add on to the tally, my 3861 sapphire sandwich purchased in May 2021 started to seize up when the chrono was pressed even with full power reserve around last month. Initially stopped when the chrono was pushed at about half reserve (circa end of 2021) and progressively got worse with that happening while having more and more power reserve until finally last month pressing the chrono stops the watch even at full PR. Just sent it to omega service yesterday.
Edited:
 
rhr321
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D dcl_88
Just to to add on to the tally, my 3861 sapphire sandwich purchased in May 2020 started to seize up when the chrono was pressed even with full power reserve around last month. Initially stopped when the chrono was pushed at about half reserve (circa end of 2020) and progressively got worse with that happening while having more and more power reserve until finally last month pressing the chrono stops the watch even at full PR. Just sent it to omega service yesterday.

May 2020? The 3861 Sapphire sandwich wasn’t announced until January 2021. Are you referring to one of the Apollo 11 anniversary watches?
 
D
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rhr321 rhr321
May 2020? The 3861 Sapphire sandwich wasn’t announced until January 2021. Are you referring to one of the Apollo 11 anniversary watches?
Oh I made a mistake, I mean 2021. Edited to correct that..
 
4011021
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D dcl_88
Oh I made a mistake, I mean 2021. Edited to correct that..

Almost one year until the issue finally showed itself. How often did you use the watch and the chronograph function?
 
W
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E Eightball76
Sorry to hear that buddy, I believe its more common to those who use the chronometer often. Were you a "heavy" user? once you receive it back it will be fine. After trying two watches I just gave up. I have a Tudor BB58 now and really like it. Perhaps I'll pick another Speedy up in a couple of years once things settle down. I have the 1861 to keep me company in the meantime.

Thank you for your post. As far as I’m concerned there should be no limit on how often the chrono can be used. My s/n is 837*****. It’s one year after these posts have highlighted the problem and it’s interesting to hear of the issues encountered last year with the 3861. Had I known about them I would have hesitated on my purchase of my first Speedy last week!
Nevertheless so far so good. In order to vigorously test my Speedy I had my chrono running constantly from fully wound until zero with no issues encountered. It lasted around 55 hours. I’ll be doing more tests in the coming weeks and hope to report here again. Hope to reassure potential buyers that all is well as it’s a beautiful watch. I actually spent an hour in the OB deliberating between the Speedy and the Heritage Seamaster 300 which is gorgeous. In the end I felt the Speedy is more iconic. Plus it has gained a lot of attention from the MoonSwatch. Proof that at least for me the marketing strategy is working
 
D
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4011021 4011021
Almost one year until the issue finally showed itself. How often did you use the watch and the chronograph function?
Not too often, maybe 3 or 4 times a week for few minutes to few hours (when I forget to turn it off)
 
Archer
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W Wen G
Thank you for your post. As far as I’m concerned there should be no limit on how often the chrono can be used. My s/n is 837*****. It’s one year after these posts have highlighted the problem and it’s interesting to hear of the issues encountered last year with the 3861. Had I known about them I would have hesitated on my purchase of my first Speedy last week!
Nevertheless so far so good. In order to vigorously test my Speedy I had my chrono running constantly from fully wound until zero with no issues encountered. It lasted around 55 hours. I’ll be doing more tests in the coming weeks and hope to report here again. Hope to reassure potential buyers that all is well as it’s a beautiful watch. I actually spent an hour in the OB deliberating between the Speedy and the Heritage Seamaster 300 which is gorgeous. In the end I felt the Speedy is more iconic. Plus it has gained a lot of attention from the MoonSwatch. Proof that at least for me the marketing strategy is working

Using the chronograph doesn’t cause the problem, but it can expose the problem...
 
KnoP
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means i should take it to service anywat to get the new bushings or just if the failure occurres? *asking for a friend
 
Evitzee
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KnoP KnoP
means i should take it to service anywat to get the new bushings or just if the failure occurres? *asking for a friend
The issue won't affect all watches, some will work fine until it needs a service in 5-7 years, others fail right out of the box or soon after. Omega won't do an overhaul and replace the bushing under warranty if it is working ok. Just wear it and keep an eye on it.

I had a 3861 for 2 1/2 years and it worked flawlessly, no issues whatsoever. Others had a problem the first couple of days of ownership. Luck of the draw it seems.
 
MikiJ
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Evitzee Evitzee
I had a 3861 for 2 1/2 years and it worked flawlessly, no issues whatsoever. Others had a problem the first couple of days of ownership. Luck of the draw it seems.

That's what happened with my new one. I sent it to SGUS and they resolved the issue, lack of power reserve, gave it a complete service and returned it NC! It took over a month.
 
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