Jim, small consolation but just received today my 45mm PO (black, natch) and I have the exact same problem! Going to raid my GFs (enormous) shoe collection, lots of those little silica baggies there
As for other first impressions (compared next to the gen article), crown is a little shallow (taken from 42mm?), the second hand tip has too much red, should have more yellow in there for that trademark PO orange, and of course there's the infamous SMP pearl and bezel alignment issues. Apart from that it's a stunning watch for the money - just looking forward now to my rubber strap and it'll be photoshoot-time.
p.s. can anyone remind me or point to fixes for the pearl and bezel?