60% of my watches are vintage, historic pieces.
40% are modern.
I love them all more or less equally, each one for very specific reasons.
But i couldn't care less what others think of the watch i am wearing! I have been learning and collecting for nearly 20 years, enough to trust my own taste above the taste or opinion of the person sitting in front of me or next to me.
I wear the watches that i love, the ones that speak to me, the ones with which i have a sensual and mental connection. This connection can stem from many different reasons: historical meaning, horological meaning, practicality, sensations when holding it... And mixes of all that.
When it happens that i see one of my modern watches on another man's wrist, i don't mind at all! At most, i can think, "Hey, this guy has good taste! He might be an interesting person to talk to."
When i wear some particular watch, i pretty well know that i am the only person on earth to be wearing it. But do i love it more for this reason? I am not sure. I love it for other reasons. Rarity is just an add-on.
Frank