Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Orient Star 75th Anniversary M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition F6 Date 200m
A revival of a 1960s Japanese dive watch with modern specs.
Using the analogy of Grand Seiko and Seiko, Orient Star is the premium division of Orient watches (both part of Seiko Epson since 2017). Established in 1951, Orient Star produces more refined watches featuring complications and a characteristic Japanese balance of quality and value. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Orient Star reimagines the design of its 1964 Olympia Calendar Diver, upgraded with modern ISO 6425 dive watch specifications. Limited to 700 pieces, the Orient M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition F6 Date 200m is a captivating mixture of 1960s dive watch design and modern features.
Orient Star’s 75th anniversary celebrations have resulted in several limited editions, including the M34 F8 Date Meteorite and the M45 F7 Small Second. Like these anniversary editions, the Diver also contains an “F” in its name, accompanied by the number 6, referring to the in-house automatic movement (calibre F6N47) powering the watch. The “M” followed by the number 42 alludes to the Orion Nebula, part of the brand’s thematic ties to the cosmos and celestial phenomena. Orion, the giant hunter of Greek mythology, was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, a fitting figure to preside over the brand’s M42 dive watch collection.
Joining an earlier silver reference, the anniversary edition has a gradient dark blue dial inspired by the depths of the sea and the night sky. The Orient M42 Diver incorporates design cues from the 1964 Olympia Calendar Diver, including the solid steel unidirectional rotating bezel with a coin edge, the sharp-edged lugs, the board-arrow hour hand, the applied rectangular indices and the outlined date window at 3 o’clock.
Size-wise, the 41mm diameter is only slightly larger than the original, but the current 14.5mm thickness, due to the automatic movement and sapphire crystal, is undoubtedly thicker than the original’s 11.5 mm thickness with a manual-winding movement. In line with contemporary specifications, water-resistance has been increased substantially from 40 to 200 metres; the central lollipop seconds hand and the pip in the inverted triangle on the bezel are luminescent; and there is now a power reserve gauge at noon. A classic dive watch, the crown and caseback are screwed down and the dial is protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with AR coating.
Power comes from the in-house automatic calibre F6N47, which runs at a rate of 21,600vph and provides a power reserve of 50 hours when fully wound, which can also be done by hand if needed. Functions include hours, minutes, hacking seconds, power reserve and date.
The five-link 20mm stainless steel bracelet features brushed and polished finishes like the case and comes with a triple-folding clasp and diver’s extension. The Orient Star M42 Diver is limited to 700 pieces and will be available in March 2026 for a retail price of EUR 1,300. More information at orient-watch.com.
