Community Stories

3861 movement broken? *Update: Read First Post*

T
Posts
38
Likes
31
Hey guys, reporting in with another one here. My 8 day old Speedmaster Professional 3861 has this problem. It started doing it today, I press the chronometer start button and it runs for between 1-4 seconds, and then stops, and then the whole watch stops. It often makes a loud tick for a few seconds as its stopping. It doesn't fault every time but I was able to fault it at least 6-7 times today.

Extremely unimpressed and it's completely ruined my first Omega purchasing experience. It's off for warranty repair now, I really hope it doesn't take as long as I'm expecting it to.
 
E
Posts
12
Likes
10
T tooch
Hey guys, reporting in with another one here. My 8 day old Speedmaster Professional 3861 has this problem. It started doing it today, I press the chronometer start button and it runs for between 1-4 seconds, and then stops, and then the whole watch stops. It often makes a loud tick for a few seconds as its stopping. It doesn't fault every time but I was able to fault it at least 6-7 times today.

Extremely unimpressed and it's completely ruined my first Omega purchasing experience. It's off for warranty repair now, I really hope it doesn't take as long as I'm expecting it to.

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.
 
T
Posts
38
Likes
31
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.

I wouldn't say I used the chronometer heavily, but in the 8 days I've had it, I've probably run the chronometer each day for a few seconds or maximum a few minutes, for timing cooking or just playing around with it. I'll certainly be running it a lot more when I get it back from repair/replacement, as if it fails again I want to know straight away!

I'll report back here with whatever happens. The AD are doing their best to handle this for me, and the Omega brand manager is on the case for me now apparently.
 
R
Posts
8
Likes
19
Update on my watch. Picked it up from Omega Boutique in London this afternoon. Fabulous service. It’s only when something goes wrong that you can really judge how much they care for you as a customer. First rate service and very happy. Took 4-5 weeks in total. Put it on a distressed leather strap and looks fab.

Edited to add better picture
Edited:
 
7202511B-CEB6-4735-A1FB-6D8A7D6D41C9.jpeg
Archer
Posts
27,595
Likes
70,198
R Rex
Update on my watch. Picked it up from Omega Boutique in London this afternoon. Fabulous service. It’s only when something goes wrong that you can really judge how much they care for you as a customer. First rate service and very happy. Took 4-5 weeks in total. Put it on a distressed leather strap and looks fab.

Did they return any parts to you? If so, can you post photos of them?

Cheers, Al
 
R
Posts
8
Likes
19
Archer Archer
Did they return any parts to you? If so, can you post photos of them?

Cheers, Al
No parts returned and was just advised that it had a full service. I made a point of asking what the problem was but the lady was not informed of what it was other then a full service. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
 
T
Posts
38
Likes
31
Got my replacement Speedy Pro 3861 today. Omega were wanting to repair my faulty one, but I requested a new one as it was only 8 days old and I didn't feel like waiting for a repair. They agreed without much of an argument, and were quite concerned (after my long email to them) with making sure I was happy with my purchase and wanted to make it right. Credit to Omega's brand manager and the Monard's store manager for sorting it out for me. Lets hope this one does not suffer any problems!
 
Stripey
Posts
572
Likes
754
T tooch
Got my replacement Speedy Pro 3861 today. Omega were wanting to repair my faulty one, but I requested a new one as it was only 8 days old and I didn't feel like waiting for a repair. They agreed without much of an argument, and were quite concerned (after my long email to them) with making sure I was happy with my purchase and wanted to make it right. Credit to Omega's brand manager and the Monard's store manager for sorting it out for me. Lets hope this one does not suffer any problems!
I’m glad about that - no way would I be letting them repair an 8 day old watch that had basically stopped working. But I know not every jurisdiction backs up the consumer as well as the UK.
 
T
Posts
38
Likes
31
Stripey Stripey
I’m glad about that - no way would I be letting them repair an 8 day old watch that had basically stopped working. But I know not every jurisdiction backs up the consumer as well as the UK.
Thanks, yes it seemed like the correct resolution. Australia’s consumer laws are pretty strict too, but there’s no real enforcement of them a lot of the time, so you often have to just be firm with the retailer/distributor and tell them what you want, and that you’re aware of your rights. Thankfully the AD and Omega themselves were very helpful and wanted to do their best for me so it didn’t become much of an argument 😀
 
N
Posts
76
Likes
42
I was able to replicate the stoppage 100% but it happened on the 60th hour when I was testing a full wind on the power reserve… is this because the power was down to end? If I reset the chronograph and shook the watch it would start ticking again.

once I did another full wind, the chrono worked normally.
 
T
Posts
38
Likes
31
N notchrishansen
I was able to replicate the stoppage 100% but it happened on the 60th hour when I was testing a full wind on the power reserve… is this because the power was down to end? If I reset the chronograph and shook the watch it would start ticking again.

once I did another full wind, the chrono worked normally.
In my case the watch was fully wound. It was the first thing I checked as I thought that maybe low power reserve was the cause.
 
hansmaulwurf
Posts
1,144
Likes
6,686
stevec14 stevec14
Reading through some posts, @hansmaulwurf had some similar issues with his 3861.

did they ever say what was wrong with it. Seems a little similar in that my chrono gets to 58 seconds also (at least now)

Hi,

in my case it was an issue with unusual wearing of the center wheel and due to the glas caseback it was possible for me to see that the balance amplitude/frequenz was very low before it stops completely. I am using the Chronograph very very often. I like to see the Chronograph running synchron to the normal time (Start at 12:00:00 or 06:00:00) and it is running for days and weeks... 90% of the wrist time...
From the 1861 I have the info in my mind that this will not increase wearing... ?!?

BR
Hans

like here:
p7120168-jpg.801062
Edited:
 
MTROIS
Posts
2,025
Likes
7,154
I must admit that this news is a bit concerning... as it seems that this is an issue just waiting to happen and so the question is whether it will happen under warranty (if you use the chrono often)... or not (with service on your dime!). 🙁

hansmaulwurf hansmaulwurf
Hi,

in my case it was an issue with unusual wearing of the center wheel and due to the glas caseback it was possible for me to see that the balance amplitude/frequenz was very low before it stops completely. I am using the Chronograph very very often. I like to see the Chronograph running synchron to the normal time (Start at 12:00:00 or 06:00:00) and it is running for days and weeks... 90% of the wrist time...
From the 1861 I have the info in my mind that this will not increase wearing... ?!?

BR
Hans

like here:
p7120168-jpg.801062
Edited:
 
Archer
Posts
27,595
Likes
70,198
This is not related to the use of the chronograph. Initially the technical guides were updated to show increased lubrication at the centre wheel and main plate. Just recently it was updated to show that a new bushing in the main plate will be used, so they did end up changing a part to resolve this.

There isn’t a mass production movement out there that hasn’t had some sort of bug that needed to be resolved, so this isn’t a big deal really...

Cheers, Al
 
Caliber561
Posts
1,501
Likes
2,569
Archer Archer
This is not related to the use of the chronograph. Initially the technical guides were updated to show increased lubrication at the centre wheel and main plate. Just recently it was updated to show that a new bushing in the main plate will be used, so they did end up changing a part to resolve this.

There isn’t a mass production movement out there that hasn’t had some sort of bug that needed to be resolved, so this isn’t a big deal really...

Cheers, Al
Out of curiosity, by bushing, do you mean they'll be switching back to a bronze bushing like used on the 321-181, rather than a jewel? Or is the bushing just a different type of jeweled bushing?
 
hansmaulwurf
Posts
1,144
Likes
6,686
Archer Archer
[...] This is not related to the use of the chronograph [...]
Cheers, Al

Thanks for clarification 👍 Now I am able to sleep well again while using the chronograph all day long 😎

BR
Hans
 
Archer
Posts
27,595
Likes
70,198
Caliber561 Caliber561
Out of curiosity, by bushing, do you mean they'll be switching back to a bronze bushing like used on the 321-181, rather than a jewel? Or is the bushing just a different type of jeweled bushing?

It was never a jewel...so a different bushing.
 
MTROIS
Posts
2,025
Likes
7,154
Archer Archer
This is not related to the use of the chronograph. Initially the technical guides were updated to show increased lubrication at the centre wheel and main plate. Just recently it was updated to show that a new bushing in the main plate will be used, so they did end up changing a part to resolve this.

There isn’t a mass production movement out there that hasn’t had some sort of bug that needed to be resolved, so this isn’t a big deal really...

Cheers, Al
Al, while I fully agree with you about “working bugs out on any new model”, which I learned the hard way when I got my e92M3 in 2008 instead of waiting for a year or so, overall I still feel that this one is a disappointment for a watch of the “caliber” (pun intended!) of the Speedy Pro!

Not only do they not upgrade this movement often (so they really had the time to work on their final protos, or should have taken more time) but given the whole aura surrounding the origins of how this watch came to be selected by NASA, etc etc... In my opinion, there is much less room for something like this to happen. And mind you, it is not like we are discovering this after two or three years after launch... but within the first 12 months, and for some owners, within the first week of ownership!!

And how should the early adopters feel now! Waiting for a band aid fix with added lubrication, or for their watch to be retrofitted with the new bushing?

Overall, quite disappointing IMO.
Edited:
 
Archer
Posts
27,595
Likes
70,198
MTROIS MTROIS
Al, while I fully agree with you about “working bugs out on any new model”, which I learned the hard way when I got my e92M3 in 2008 instead of waiting for a year or so, overall I still feel that this one is a disappointment for a watch of the “caliber” (pun intended!) of the Speedy Pro!

Not only do they not upgrade this movement often (so they really had the time to work on their final protos, or should have taken more time) but given the whole aura surrounding the origins of how this watch came to be selected by NASA, etc etc... In my opinion, there is much less room for something like this to happen. And mind you, it is not like we are discovering this after two or three years after launch... but within the first 12 months, and for some owners, within the first week of ownership!!

And how should the early adopters feel now! Waiting for a band aid fix with added lubrication, or for their watch to be retrofitted with the new bushing?

Overall, quite disappointing IMO.

Sure. The problem is that people are not aware that this happens all the time. Parts are upgraded for years and years after the movement was made originally, and often long after the movement goes out of production. Omega has, for example, continued to upgrade the 550, 560, and 750 series movements, even though they haven’t been produced for decades.

If you buy the marketing hype then yes this will seem to go against the “aura” of the watch, but in reality this is very common. These are not life saving medications or vehicles that could kill someone with a fault. These are expensive man trinkets.

If this is upsetting to you, then my advice would be to not be the brand’s beta tester anymore.

Cheers, Al
 
554 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Bwoc

Omega 3861 movement

Bwoc Modern Omega Watches
Archer
Archer
Posts
20
Views
2K
bsowers34

Another 3861 movement question

bsowers34 Modern Omega Watches
blufinz52
blufinz52
Posts
12
Views
672
Kmmdad57

3861 movement vs the new 321. Which is the better movement from a technical stand point.

Kmmdad57 Modern Omega Watches
Archer
Archer
Posts
53
Views
5K
Dirty Tool

FOIS moisture under glass (+ broken 3861)

Dirty Tool Modern Omega Watches
chiefenergy
chiefenergy
Posts
12
Views
2K
P

Broken Speedy Pro

PJ03029174 Modern Omega Watches
STANDY
STANDY
Posts
7
Views
2K
M

Technical guide to name the parts of the 3861 movement

michaelavillion Modern Omega Watches
JimInOz
JimInOz
Posts
4
Views
2K