Well, I wouldn't say it is new info; the event script very deliberately checks for some event bits which have been identified as meaning "if save file exists" and behaves accordingly. And I've watched the intro more times than any sane person should, so I've seen this behavior as well, but honestly never thought much of it. So you're probably the first to point out the clock aspect...
EDIT:
This Imp+Regen find is certainly news. I wonder why it would treat Regen and Seizure differently (as they are the same effect with the healing bit switched...). Very weird.
