I had gens before I found you all many moons ago, and now I will have gens & reps when someone closes the lid on me. There are some brands such as Panerai that I have had gens of but sold off because of the quality of reps on them. Others such as Omega, Breitling, ect I see the same result. Reps are very close and why buy the gen.
Right now there are some nice deals on second hand gens to be had. I have picked up several nice ones with inhouse movements the last few months and always on the lookout. Gens are nice no doubt, but without this hobby I would have spent many more $`s trying this or that on, then finding out it`s not for me and taking a bath on it in the secondary market.
Skool, I hear what your saying.
Having both is the right mix for me.
Then again, the right mix does change frequently.