Robbie,
I "think" I totally get you. I mean most people like watches or horology because of the precision of these small mechanical devices. Most of the time I find myself just gazing at a time piece and I think I do this because I know what it takes to make all this happen. Well some what. In either case, that is why I find myself so torn in the rep world. What draws me to these amazing machines is the precision that it takes to create these time pieces, yet the prices that they demand is off putting at the least. So the rep world is a welcome alternative, but I realize that I'm forced to compromise the very thing that lures me to this hobby. So the dilema with regards to this hobby is two folds. Do I pay the outrageously high prices and enjoy the fact that these pieces are perfect? Or do I save my money and accept the fact that reps will never be perfect? My solution has been, up to this point, is to balance reps with gens. My collection is a creative balance between gens and reps. Mind you it's a precarious dance of balance, but it works and serves it's purpose. LOL
The hunt?... the precarious dance of balance?... whatever you want to call it, call it, but just don't forget that it's only a hobby. Enjoy the dilema my friend.