It seems to me at some point, we can safely cast the old methods and equipment aside and embrace the new.
I'd forego the barometer in exchange for good modern weather forecasting with subscription service so I could get the info anywhere I cruise. In my case, I'd just need 3G/4G internet access since my boating waters are pretty much limited to the SF Bay and California Delta estuary but others could benefit from subscription satellite coverage.
Another option might be a digital weather station for onboard observations and data tracking. My LaCrosse Weather Station tracks temps, humidity, winds, barometer with baro trend weather forecasting and rainfall. It retains data which is accessible wirelessly via laptop with a USB stick.
Other examples of out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new include celestial navigation for GPS, charts for chartplotters, CB for DSC VHF with AIS, manual pump heads for electric, ship's bell for an electric horn and auto foghorn. But there's still no substitute for a really good loudhailer to get the first mate's attention in a hurry!!