i have been accused of having OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) by my colleagues when it comes to cleanliness but i think you two fellas are taking this too far. if you wash the back of the strap with mild soap detergent and rinse with a damp cloth allow to dry and this strap is good to go.....if you are still not happy with this then you can send me the strap.
the original Pearl on my trustySMP had a gold colored housing the pearl but as this was the first rep i bought it never bothered me. i then after two years i decided to get a new insert from Silix. although the one i had was pretty awful the one Silix sent wasn't much better. you would really need to see a photograph of what you are buying.
first of all i would like to say i have no experience with the new SMP. but my trusty 2006 SMP's bezel just pops off with i twist of the case opener knife. the insert would be easier fixed with the bezel off the watch. just watch for a wee pin that stops the bezel rotating.
well i have to say i buy rep Abercrombie & Fitch polo shits and tee's from china for $14USD and the quality control is fantastic. I guess A&F are quiet cheap in the US but in the UK you would pay $100 for just a tee posted from the US.