Umm... basically you ended this with what I was explaining. Perhaps you didn't read what I wrote?
If he likes the watch and it's in his price range why not get it? unless he is going to be around watch experts that know what the gen 20k looks like, no one is the wiser. For the most part he would just know that it isn't a gen, or a replica of a gen.
Half these watches most people have never heard of, and if they did, they can't tell the difference between the 100's of different models, vintages, special editions, limited editions, and modifications.
I don't know this guy so i don't want to, and haven't judged his economic position, however you can have the best rep ever of a super expensive watch, but when you're salting my fries nobody will ever believe it, and aside from rolex's most people can't tell the difference from a timex.