Hello - hope I can answer some of your questions...
1/ The date is a gradual change from what I recall - I'm not usually up to see mine change though. ;-)
2/ I don't recall any such clicking noise - what strap do you have on it (gator or rubber)?
3/ I have seen the following starps on this model....
Black with white stitching (what I received with my watch)
Dark brown with white stitching
Tan - not my favourite colour by any means.....
Rubber - I have mine on a black rubber JLC strap most of the time since it is my "sport" watch.
Bracelet - this is available for the watch but for me the rubber strap is better - not a bracelet fan myself.
4/ I have never used Photobucket so I'm not sure. There is a photo uploader here that you can use if you like.
Cheers, Al