I think you're on to something. The color of the first strap matches better (though a little too bold for me to pull off), the new strap works, though.

It matches my first car: A champagne colored Nissan Pulsar. 🙂

The bold strap certainly transforms it from an ordinary dress watch into something interesting.

Very "Racey!" May I ask, what is the dashboard in the background attached to?

Those really are striking!

On my Swiss stopwatch (not Heuer), the crown starts, stops, and starts up again from where it left off. The second pusher on the left resets.

I suppose you've tried everything, but does that second pusher restart the count from where it leaves off with resetting?

That strap is fire!

That leaves me with so many questions, the main one being: how does that not ruin the dial? Fades away? Washes off? Strange!