Not paranoid at all...
I think the advice provided is very sensible, and that wearing a new or like-new vintage PVD-coated watch is intrinsically a tricky matter.
I myself have a PVD Carrera 510.511 really mint and I must admit I never wear it, it's always locked in the bank as I don't even
plan to wear it any time. On the other hand one of my daily wearers is a 510.501, again black PVD, but this is far from mint, and it can withstand the occasional knocks w/o tto much fuss. So, even though like Jeff I work in a safe and climate-controlled environment, I feel comfortable with this one that's 'nicely worn' but I wouldn't at all with a mint one, let alone a NOS...
And when it comes to spare time outdoors, or places where I may sweat a lot, holidays or other potentially dangerous environments, then the only one choice is a polished 510.500 with a few chips and dings, scratched glass etc., which can be defined as a very 'day-beater' in its truest sense.
I remember also seeing requests of people looking for 'nicely worn' PVD's, and I don't think it's just a matter of price but also or mostly of wearability.
Cheers.
Fabrizio