Before Seiko Ruled the Dive Watch Scene, Another Japanese Brand Made Waves. Now, It’s Back with a Stunning Revival.
When you think of Japanese dive watches, Seiko’s iconic 62MAS from 1965 likely springs to mind. But here’s where it gets controversial: Seiko wasn’t the first to dip its toes into the deep end. A handful of lesser-known timepieces predated the 62MAS, boasting features like enhanced water resistance, rotating bezels, and luminous markers that fit the bill for early dive watches. Among them was Seiko’s own Silverwave, launched in 1961, but another brand quietly made history: Orient. Their Olympia Calendar Diver, released in 1964, was a trailblazer—though often overshadowed by its Swiss counterparts like the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
And this is the part most people miss: Orient’s Olympia Calendar Diver, with its 40m water resistance, may not have been a deep-sea monster, but it was a design masterpiece. Think Omega-inspired broad-arrow hands, a coin-edge stainless steel bezel, and faceted lugs that screamed sophistication. Now, Orient’s premium sub-brand, Orient Star, has resurrected this underrated gem in a modern, elevated form—just in time for its 75th anniversary.
The Orient Star M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition F6 Date 200m is a tribute to the original, but with a twist. While it retains the vintage charm—the symmetrical bezel, the faceted lugs, and the case design sans crown guards—it introduces a few bold updates. The dial now features a gradient blue-gray to black finish, inspired by the ocean under a night sky, adding a contemporary flair. But here’s the kicker: the removal of the faceted indices at 12, 6, and 9 in favor of standardized rectangles and the addition of a power-reserve indicator at 12:00. Love it or hate it? That’s up for debate.
Under the hood, the watch packs serious upgrades: a domed sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown, and a modernized automatic movement. Most notably, its water resistance has been bumped to 200m, meeting ISO 6425 standards—a far cry from its 1964 predecessor. Limited to just 700 pieces, this reissue sits squarely between the 500-unit black dial and 900-unit silver dial versions from previous years. Paired with a jubilee-style bracelet, it’s a nod to the past with an eye on the future.
But here’s the question: Does this revival honor the original, or does it stray too far from its vintage roots? Let us know in the comments. Pricing is still under wraps, but expect it to hit Orient Star dealers in March. One thing’s for sure—this isn’t just another dive watch. It’s a piece of history, reimagined.
