No, it's not the design itself that is or isn't durable, it's the fact that the more powerful ones are strictly bowl-lift.It shouldn't be a dealbreaker, just personal preference. If you're happy with the lever design, to each his own.
Didn't know Magnus is a chef. In any case, there are as many opinions as there are tools of the trade. Doesn't make any one wrong or right. Would like to hear why the lever model is better other than durability though. The Viking mixer with a flip up head is arguably more durable than any Kitchen Aid, so I don't see how just being flip up makes it any less durable.
