This is not always true. Reliability depends on the movement and the manufacturer. Some examples:
ETA G10 (quartz) and Lemania 5100/ETA C01 (automatic) are both entry-level chronograph movements found in Swatch group watches. I'll put my money on the Lemania 5100 anytime on reliability. ETA G10 is the worst ever movement designed by anyone on this planet. Most internals are plastic. On the other hand, if I had to compare Lemania 5100 (automatic) with Hattori VD53 (quartz) for reliability, Hattori wins hands down.
Valjoux 775X is also an automatic chronograph movement found in midrange watches including Omega Speedmaster. Despite the hype of Valjoux movements, watch enthusiasts generally agree that the low-end Lemania 5100 is equally reliable or even better. Movements like Miyota 8110 and Hattori 6138 have proven their reliability as well. Almost as good as the high end Swiss movements or even better.
Seagull ST19 (what you mentioned as 1963) is a Chinese clone of old Soviet Union-designed Poljot 3133, which in return was based on Valjoux 7734. (I owned the same type of watch you posted in the pics. Sold it off after 2 months at a loss. Its absolute rubbish. Build quality is poor and the chronograph was inaccurate). ST19 is the cheapest mechanical chronograph movement in the world and the build quality is a reflection of that
The higher service cost for mechanical movements is because the movement needs to be taken apart during service. They are mostly enthusiasts' watches anyway and watchmakers do tend to charge a premium.
G10 is the movement in the moonswatch . its a sealed unit . cant serviced. price is about 60usds. so once the movement is toasted. repair cost become highter than watch price. so it will easily become a land fill.
It cant compare with lemania entry level movement neda. it is like comparing benz A class to a maruti.
seiko VD series is great movement.
But im talking about automatic chronographs and its economies to scale.
i have seen many ads on ebay with used below 2000usd chronograph watches with issues. some have jammed date mechanism , some has chronograph hands are not resetting correctly. they are selling mainly because it is not worth to fix. even a servicing a mechanical chronograph is about 3-4 times higher than a regular mechanical . So if the watch is cheap, costs will easily overrun the watch value.
yes. Lemania is better than Valjoux . Even the real moonwatch ia also a lemanian calibre. Valjoux 7 series has common user complains too. like roter wobble issues.
Seagull ST19 does not have a russian connection or not Valjoux . its a Venus Calibre 175 column wheel chronograph movement in 1950s. Venus has sold the technology and machinery to a chinese PLA to fund their new movement development.
https://kaminskyblog.com/2017/09/12/seagull-st19-chronograph-movement-review-brief-history/
Yes its chinese and only 200usd. we cant expect QC on that price range. what cant be go wrong. literary everything. but it has really good reviews on internet.
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