[masraum]

Yes, many watches from relatively cheap to expensive use the same movement.

The difference, as I understand it, is that the high end brands will disassemble the movement and reassemble them while tuning them up. You can get a rebuilt 350 Chevy from a guy that tossed it together using plastiguage, and your can get a 350 Chevy that's been balanced and blueprint by a high end builder. They are both 350 Chevies, but they aren't going to run the same.

And yes, a quartz movement will likely run circles around an automatic movement. If you require precision then the quartz is for you. If you need close enough and you're willing to adjust it from time to time and you're going to enjoy and appreciate the movement (or you want to show off) then the automatic is for you. If you are happy with a Honda or Toyota, then an entry level automatic is fine. If you appreciate some aspect of fine engineering and craftsmanship then you may want to find one of the better bands.