The pins can be hammered out from one side, but you need to use a lot of force.
I'm getting a gen Santos strap and I will post some pics once it arrives.
It's odd that the rep makers only make current and vintage models, the pre-2000 Daytonas are the easiest to rep yet there are no good ones out there.....
The problem is you can't expect those insugents to fight fair if they're so outnumbered and outgunned. The French resistance in WW2 would've been wiped out by the Nazis if they go outside with guns blazing.
Don't forget that within a few years there won't be any ETAs on the market as Swatch stop sales outside of their group.
As for quality, you can have any quality as long as you have adaquate QC and a skilled workforce.