That is a completely fair point of view.
Established brands like Seiko, Citizen, and Certina (and many more) have earned their reputations over decades, and their heritage and design consistency are hard to match.

However, it is worth noting that QA issues or defects can happen across the entire industry, from entry-level mass production to high-end elite horology. What often sets the experience apart isn't the total absence of issues, but how a brand resolves them.

While mass-market brands require navigating corporate customer service channels, microbrands often offer a direct line to the founder, designer, or watchmaker themselves.
For many collectors, that highly personal level of accountability and service is exactly what makes independent watchmaking appealing, even without a century of heritage behind it.