Also in japan De Rosa had high reputation about the quality. On the magazines of late 1970s were advertisements of Japanese importer which insisted that the only difference between ones Merckx or Moser rode and ones it sold was the thickness of the BB shell. And showed two heart-shaped pieces of steel. Did you see same ad in U.S. ? Takao Noda Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
PS: My Japanese friend is looking for a small( about 48 c-c)DeRosa with NR or SR.