Wow, I've dragged mine to at least 15 countries since I bought it from Bergdorfs last year and I haven't noticed any cracks at all. This thing has been shoved into suitcases and under seats of planes, trains, boats, helicopters and even crumpled into the case on the back of a Peugeot scooter. This thing is indestructible! Though the attached coin purse thing constantly gets detached from the leather strap...that's my only complaint..mine is black with black trim, sz GM.
I should also add that I use it daily and usually load it down pretty heavily -- 15in laptop, iPad, several notebooks and books. I guess it's just luck of the draw on quality?