wait... clocks with movements designed to last 25 or so years because they're made of cheaper modern materials are getting knocked when compared to clocks with more substantial movements made of higher quality materials that are actually collectible and have been running for 200 years? i can't imagine why.
the message board is filled with threads about older clocks that are still running. auction houses still get top dollar for older clocks... because that's what informed collectors w deeper pockets want. howard millers? uhm... not so much.
your hm's might last two generations (with a generation being 20-30 years), but it sure seems like there are an awful lot of threads here discussing hm build quality problems... that also recommend replacing rather than repairing movements... quite an endorsement from the repair community. you'll find even more threads where people discuss repairing older movements... because doing so is worth doing.
there is no comparison between the usual hm clocks discussed here to clocks built in the 1800s (or earlier)... they just don't make 'em like they used to. for example.... i got my 1780 tall case clock off craigslist for $400... https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/tall-case-isaac-wood.174687/
fyi, i knock hm's because from where i sit they won't last, are overpriced and unattractive (other than that, mrs. lincoln...
). if they float your boat, great... just trying to shed some light on your mystery.
