The Favre Leuba Deep Raider Revival and Aquastar Deepstar II reinterpret vintage dive watches in different ways. Favre Leuba’s 39 mm reissue emphasizes its 1964 heritage, a conventional elapsed-time bezel, 300 m stated water resistance and a 68-hour stated power reserve. The smaller 36.75 mm Aquastar stands out for its bidirectional bezel marked with a successive-dive no-decompression table. The better choice depends on fit, the bezel concept you prefer and which design speaks to you.
At a glance: Deep Raider Revival vs. Deepstar II
| Specification | Favre Leuba Deep Raider Revival | Aquastar Deepstar II |
|---|---|---|
| Design premise | 2024 revival of Favre Leuba’s 1964 Deep Blue / Deep Raider design, retaining the original 39 mm dimensions. Favre Leuba history | Modern, time-only interpretation of the vintage Deepstar, including its dive-table bezel concept. Aquastar specifications |
| Diameter | 39 mm | 36.75 mm |
| Other case dimensions | 12.75 mm thick, according to Favre Leuba’s 2024 press material. | 46 mm lug-to-lug and 12 mm high, according to Aquastar’s specifications. |
| Stated water resistance | 300 m / 30 ATM | 200 m / 660 ft |
| Movement | La Joux-Perret G100 automatic | Sellita SW290 on current product pages; the technical sheet identifies it as Swiss mechanical. |
| Stated power reserve | 68 hours | Not stated for the standard Deepstar II in the cited specifications. |
| Bezel | Unidirectional elapsed-time bezel with a sapphire insert printed on the back, per Favre Leuba. | Bidirectional bezel marked as a successive / multiple dive no-decompression table calculator, per Aquastar. |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal | Highly domed sapphire with triple anti-reflective coating |
| Dial and display | Grey sunray dial, date at 4:30 and vintage-look lume | Time-only hours and minutes with small seconds; dial choices include steel grey, vintage black and blue. |
Specifications and product configurations can vary by reference and change over time. See Favre Leuba’s 2024 product material and Aquastar’s Deepstar II specifications and current shop listings for the relevant model details.
How their vintage designs differ
Favre Leuba: a reissue with a familiar dive-watch layout
Favre Leuba identifies the Revival as a return to its 1964 Deep Blue / Deep Raider design, preserving the 39 mm dimensions. Its grey sunray dial, date display at 4:30 and unidirectional elapsed-time bezel give it a recognizable diver layout while the sapphire crystal and modern automatic movement update the specification. The date is a practical distinction if you want one; the Aquastar is time-only.
Aquastar: a compact case and an unusual bezel idea
The Deepstar II takes a different route: its time-only dial has small seconds, while the bezel carries a successive-dive no-decompression table. Aquastar describes this as a multiple-dive calculator. That purpose-built scale, rather than a conventional elapsed-time bezel, is the watch’s defining functional and visual difference.
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- Adjustable black 20mm stainless steel Expansion band fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- Black dial with partial Arabic numerals and team logo; luminant hands
- Black 42mm Brass case with scratch-resistant mineral glass crystal
- Easy-to-set quick date window at 3 o'clock; indigo light-up watch dial
- Water resistant to 50 m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
Which watch wears smaller?
The Deepstar II has the smaller stated diameter at 36.75 mm, compared with 39 mm for the Revival. Aquastar also specifies a 46 mm length including lugs and 12 mm height. Favre Leuba’s cited 2024 material gives the Revival’s 12.75 mm thickness; it does not establish the same lug-to-lug figure on a directly comparable basis.
Diameter alone does not determine wrist fit. Lug reach, case shape, strap or bracelet, and how a watch sits on your wrist all matter. If possible, compare both watches in person or check the exact reference’s full dimensions before deciding; do not assume the two published dimension sets are directly equivalent measurements.
Rank #2
- Adjustable black 20mm fabric strap fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- Distressed black dial featuring historical logo; full Arabic numerals
- Black 40mm case with distressed finish; mineral glass crystal
- Indiglo light-up watch dial; luminous hands
- Water resistant to 50 m (165 ft): In general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
Bezel function and water resistance are different things
The Revival’s unidirectional bezel is the more familiar choice for tracking elapsed time. The Deepstar II’s bezel is bidirectional and marked for successive-dive no-decompression calculations, according to Aquastar. Its table is a watch bezel feature, not a substitute for dive training, a dive computer or a professional dive instrument.
The manufacturers state 300 m / 30 ATM water resistance for the Revival and 200 m / 660 ft for the Deepstar II. Those figures describe the brands’ specifications; the available sources do not establish equivalent independent testing or certification for these exact models. They therefore do not, by themselves, prove that one is objectively safer or more capable underwater.
Rank #3
- Adjustable silver-tone 20mm stainless steel expansion bands fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- Silver-tone dial with partial Arabic numerals & team logo; date window at 3 o'clock
- Silver-tone 42mm brass case with scratch-resistant mineral glass crystal
- Indiglo light-up watch dial; luminant hands
- Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
Movement, reserve and price context
Favre Leuba specifies a La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement and a 68-hour power reserve for the Revival. Current Aquastar product pages identify a Sellita SW290 for the Deepstar II, but the cited standard-model specifications do not state a power reserve, so there is no supported like-for-like reserve comparison here.
Favre Leuba’s CHF 2,000 figure was the Revival’s introductory price in 2024, not a current quote. Aquastar’s official shop displays prices that vary by configuration. For a fair purchase comparison, check the exact references on each brand’s regional product pages and compare the same currency, dial, strap or bracelet, date and tax treatment. Prices, stock and available variants can change.
Rank #4
- Adjustable black & gray 20mm FastWrap strap with hook & loop closure fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- Silver-tone dial with full Arabic numerals & team logo
- Black 38mm resin case with scratch-resistant acrylic lens
- Luminant hands
- Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Deep Raider Revival if you want
- A 39 mm heritage reissue tied to Favre Leuba’s 1964 Deep Blue / Deep Raider design.
- A conventional unidirectional elapsed-time bezel and a date display.
- The manufacturer-stated 300 m water resistance and 68-hour power reserve.
Choose the Deepstar II if you want
- A more compact 36.75 mm case, with a stated 46 mm lug-to-lug length and 12 mm height.
- A bidirectional bezel marked for successive-dive no-decompression calculations.
- A time-only vintage-inspired diver with small seconds and a distinctive dial-and-bezel layout.
Neither is a universal winner: the Revival is the more conventional reissue, while the Deepstar II makes its compact dimensions and dive-table bezel central to its character.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 40mm black case
- 8 inch black strap
- white dial with las vegas raiders logo
- acrylic lens
- water resistant up to 50 meters
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
