hehe -I don't like the "new" finishes on most new stuff LOL!! So I for sure wouldn't care for it on the old stuff.
My biggest pet peave is to see someone brag about "restoring" on old cabinet - and they slopped a coat of Polyurathine on it. Most retail places sell a product that is made to put on fast and easy - and to look "good enough" for those that only want to put in a half - effort to do the job right. While there are some great modern products, they often aren't availbe at the big box stores. And companies where time=money don't use them either.
To me, there is nothing prettier than 7 -8 coats of hand rubbed finish. You get a deep luster that does not look like a layer of plastic applied over the top.
A lot of newer products aren't "better" they are just different. And most of that "difference" is so they can market it as "new and better".