New speedmaster 3861 SS. Quality control issues.

I agree, but that isn't the buyer's responsibility if the buyer should reasonably be able to assume that they are buying a product free of these issues. The authorized dealer or Omega boutiques actions after the buyer Returns the item are also not the buyers responsibility, they can't control other people's dishonesty.

I do agree that there are problems with generous return privileges absolutely. Each case probably needs to be looked at for its merits...

Updated first post with the outcome.

Great outcome. There are quite a few of these popping up... I also have had an issue with a 3861. Curious if there's something going on at the assembly line.

For the record:

I bought my hessalite Speedy in August '22. Loved it. Wore it everyday since. Returned it to the dealer today as the chrono had malfunctioned badly. Wouldn't reset.

I had noticed issues over the last year, but wasn't sure if I was imagining it (chrono hand stopping/stalling). But yesterday it gave up the ghost entirely.

Still under warranty of course, so we'll see what they say - if anything - when I get it back.

I read pages 1,2 and 5 of this thread. I'm happy that the OP is now happy. I read a lot of posts on the Rolex forum with the same complaints about dust on the face, misalignments, etc. Some people forget that these watches are largely assembled by hand, and if humans are involved at any point, mistakes can happen. Heck, even if no humans are involved, the machines that assemble the watches were designed and built by humans, and wear out, and so again, mistakes can happen. Until Skynet gets into the watch business...

I think that the fact that Omega and/or the boutique stepped up and made it all OK is what is important here.