I have three Beckers. Two were brand new, and one was an estate. I find that I love the aesthetic and the attention he gives/gave his bits is exquisite. I have compared the styling of his pipes to Lamborghini. I may never own an actual car like that, but by saving up, I can own the Lamborghini of pipes. But, I won't be buying another. They smoke very well, and I love the button on it, and looking at the pipe and the feel... But, after finding out that Paolo had his son working on pipes, and most likely Paolo didn't even touch my pipes... the magic is gone. It might be that they were thinking of "Becker" as a family based pipe company, but all retail pipesellers had listed them specifically handmade by Paulo Becker. Even the website for him at the time never mentioned a son.
Are they great pipes, yes.
Are they beautiful, yes.
Do they smoke well, yes.
Are they any better than pipes going for 1/3rd the price, no.
But, this is all very subjective. My two, were in the over $1000 range, and the estate still cost me over $500. My return on aesthetic appreciation has waned.
They are unique though. His fame was not built on being a world renowned pipemaker or designer for any major companies, like Stanwell or even Savinelli. He was more in the fashion side of pipemaker fame, based on his father's claims to fame. Then, I had a long post about it http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/what-if-the-removal-of-the-pixie-pipe-dust
After regarding the whole... he lied about making his pipes, that has been confirmed over and over since that post, that his son was making them... I say screw him. He could have been truthful and put something on the pipe to indicate that his son made it or something. This goes for a few others in the pipe world that I think are being a little too greedy and not disclosing the full truth about who is making their pipes.
It is subjective though. If you don't care who's hands have actually touched the pipes, they do have great buttons and smoke well. Is it worth it?.. that's up to you.