Never owned the Chronarch, but did do a major overhaul of Curado once (abused the hell out of it). I had a buddy work on it, but I had to buy the parts. Bearings are pretty expensive (up to $15 a piece depending upon which one). So with a $60 price tag, price and labor, you probably didn't have to replace more than one or two. Did John specify? May have been a pull'em and soak'em job with perhaps a replacement or two.

Generally the bearings on the shimanos are pretty good. Drag washers are a different story though (replace mine when ever the reel gets overly wet; kind of hard to prevent when your fishing!). Did you use the reel in salt or in sandy areas? Salt water is a no no and a strategically placed single grain of sand can muck up the performance of a reel big time and can screw up bearings, as well.

Thats why I'm so leary about the pricey reels. They sure are smooth, but its tough keeping the stuff that doesn't belong out of them. And as you alluded too, price DOES NOT equate to durability with reels. Going on four seasons with my Ambassador 5500. Good Luck with it.

[This message has been edited by obsessed (edited 09-22-2000).]