Why on earth do you need to get 25 years out of them to justify the cost? Their prices are on par with other high quality saddles.

As for the 80's, what does how long ago it was have to do with anything? You're talking about style, I guess? I'm talking about quality. My point was that people rode this kind of saddle for many years, so it's not a product that is about hype. Brooks saddles stopped appearing on higher end bikes because other saddles were lighter and cheaper--that doesn't mean better, of course. Those are two considerations I personally place way under comfort and quality.

More power to you with your BSO test--it sounds like this just isn't your market, then.