I'm not old, not even 30. However, I've calibrated a couple of hundred micrometers of various types and brands, and have developed calibration procedures for most tools that are very critical and peer-reviewed for suitability.
Almost all new micrometers meet GGG-C-105C, which specifies tolerances for the accuracies of the instrument. Indicated reading +/- .0001 up to 1", .00015 to 3", .0002 to 6", etc. I've only had one or two instruments show error greater than that. That's including $12 0-1" mics from Chuan/China.
The Brown & Sharpe micrometers do not excel here. Neither do Starrett.
The Chuan/China brand mikes are really impressive sometimes, but you have to get lucky. VIS/Poland are the same way.
Mitutoyo are much more accurate. Even the cheap economy mikes. For a long lasting tool, that's my heartfelt recommendation. Mitutoyo makes a really fantastic gage. Most of their digital micrometers now specify accuracy of +/- 50 millionths.
Most know-it-alls are setting their mikes on class ZZ pins or applying about 20 lbs of pressure or something like that. Forget all of that nonsense and read, read, read.
The only instruments that rival Mitutoyo are European. An Etalon micrometer is such a work of art from that part of the world. Brown & Sharpe swiss (certain model #'s), TESA, the German Mahr.
Here's a website that browses and reads well.
http://www.longislandindicator.com/micrometers.html
Personally, if I was on a budget, I would never spend money on micrometers. The $70 set of 0-3" polish mics is going to calibrate just the same or BETTER than american made tools.
For a dial caliper, get a $63 mitutoyo 505-675 from Enco, they're made in Brazil, and they've got it down pat finally.
spend the real money on bore gages, inside groove diameter gages, blade micrometers, real thread wires, an indicating micrometer, or something else with a specialized use.