Can't speak for Brooks specifically but another similar camp is the Selle Anatomica. I just got one and after 170 miles so far, I'm happy as a pig in mud. More correctly, my butt is happy. For me, not in any way a "status" thing. In fact, I think it looks like something from the 1800's and don't particularly like the looks on my bike. I liked my sleek slender Selle Italia I've ridden the past two years. But looks be dang when comfort is a necessity. Don't know what changed with my anatomy these past two years, but the Anatomica is DaBomb! I have no doubt the Brooks is the same, I just have no experience with the Brooks.

And no, the rivets are a non-issue