Completly agree with you mezzanine. My story is on the same way than yours
At the begining, no interest in Rolex, and i always go for rep whithout any modds needed.
2 yeard later, i just received my SSD modded, and starting my 1680 project with a MBW from PASO and a long modds list !!!!
With this last one i am not buying a Rolex, i am working on a PROJECT to have a unique and special watch
The next step could be to began modding myself ..... but not for the moment
BTW, i always considering the "No Modds Rep"