To be fair we are learning that a lot of movements are just swapped out during service, Tudor included.

Control and ownership are two completely different thing. OP certainly had control of the watches but control does not necessarily imply ownership. If the watches were acquired while the friend was married, they are technically jointly owned, even if the wife doesn’t know about them. And if the watches were acquired pre-marriage, ownership would mostly likely be transferred to the widow anyways. By not saying anything you are depriving the widow of making a claim to the property - property that most likely already belongs to her. There maybe some obscure rule that allows you to keep them, but making a ruling on such is the job of a probable court.

Simply put, you have both a moral and legal responsibility to turn over the watches.

There is a huge difference between the 733, which is essentially a Sellita SW200-1 and the Cal 400. SW-200s have an accuracy of 12 seconds a day, a 38 hour power reserve, and a 3 year warranty while the 400 has an accuracy of 5 seconds a day, a 120 hour power reserve, and a 10 year warranty.

I’m partial to the Oris Aquis Sellita variant at that price range. I think you get luxury finishing at a fraction of the price.

I think the Glycine Combat Sub 39 comes closest.

Citizen is a good brand. I don’t think anyone will say otherwise. With that said, sometimes less is more.

I just got the same Vaer in 36 and I am super satisfied. It delivers everything I was looking for in a tool watch.

I just bought this Vaer S3 and I am blown away with the build quality. It’s gorgeous in person and feels really sturdy. I also like that it came with two different quick release straps, a tan 2-piece NATO and a surprisingly soft rubber.

It also comes in 40mm if you want something with a more modern fit.