The Longines HydroConquest examined here offers higher published water resistance, a longer power reserve and a longer warranty. The Orient Star M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition counters with a mechanical power-reserve indicator and a design rooted in a 1964 diver. But the price gap cannot be calculated responsibly from the official listings reviewed: Longines lists its U.S. reference at $1,600, while the Orient Star page does not state a comparable current U.S. price.
Which watches are being compared?
“Orient Star Diver” covers multiple watches, so this comparison uses two references in the M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition F6 Date 200m family: the silver-dial RE-AU0502S and the blue-grey 75th-anniversary RE-AU0503N. For Longines, the price and specifications below refer to the U.S. HydroConquest L3.742.4.56.6: a 41 mm automatic with a black dial and steel bracelet. HydroConquest is a broader collection that also includes quartz models, so its collection-level specifications should not be mistaken for details of this exact reference.
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The figures are manufacturer-published specifications, not results of comparative lab or wrist testing. The RE-AU0503N details and anniversary information come from Orient Star’s February 4, 2026 announcement. The Longines price is the listing for the U.S. reference, not a universal price for every HydroConquest.
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| Feature | Orient Star M42 Diver 1964 1st Edition | Longines HydroConquest L3.742.4.56.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | RE-AU0502S: 40.2 mm wide and 14.5 mm thick; Orient also lists a 49.6 mm height. RE-AU0503N: 41.0 mm wide and 14.5 mm thick. | 41 mm diameter. |
| Water resistance | 200 m scuba-diver specification; the 2026 release says the RE-AU0503N complies with ISO 6425. | 30 bar / 300 m; the product page identifies a screw-in crown and unidirectional bezel. |
| Movement and reserve | In-house automatic F6N47, with hand-winding, a visible power-reserve indicator and over 50 hours of reserve. Listed accuracy: +25 to -15 seconds per day. | Automatic movement with date and up to 72 hours of reserve; the product page lists 25,200 vibrations per hour and no accuracy figure. |
| Case, bracelet and crystal | SUS316L steel case and bracelet, dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and rotating bezel. The 2026 release describes a diver extension on the bracelet. | Stainless-steel case and bracelet, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the underside, and unidirectional rotating bezel. The product page does not identify this bezel as ceramic. |
| Warranty | Three years listed for RE-AU0502S. | Five years on the cited U.S. product page. |
| Published price | A current comparable U.S. price is not stated on the official pages reviewed. | $1,600 on the U.S. page for L3.742.4.56.6. |
For the Orient, the official specification pages are RE-AU0502S and the February 4, 2026 RE-AU0503N announcement. Longines lists the selected watch on its U.S. product page.
#1 Best Overall
What does the Longines add?
Higher stated water resistance
The selected HydroConquest is rated to 300 m, compared with 200 m for the Orient Star divers. That is a real difference in the published specifications, but it does not mean most recreational swimmers or divers need the extra rating. Both are diver-oriented watches; the deeper figure is most relevant to a buyer who specifically prioritizes the higher stated rating.
Longer stated power reserve
Longines lists up to 72 hours, while Orient Star lists over 50 hours for the F6N47. The additional reserve can make a practical difference if the watch is taken off for a couple of days: it may keep running longer before needing to be reset. The Orient’s indicator offers a different convenience by showing the movement’s reserve rather than leaving the wearer to estimate it.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Two more years of listed warranty
The cited Longines U.S. page lists five years, compared with three years on the RE-AU0502S page. Warranty coverage and eligibility can depend on the country and purchase terms, so check the terms that apply to the specific watch and seller.
What does the Orient Star offer instead?
A power-reserve display
The F6N47’s visible reserve indicator is a distinguishing feature that the cited Longines product page does not list. It makes the Orient’s remaining running time legible at a glance, rather than relying only on the stated maximum reserve.
A design tied to a specific piece of history
Orient Star says the M42 anniversary model reimagines its 1964 Olympia Calendar Diver. The company also makes an important distinction: “The original 1964 model does not meet current ISO standards as there were no clear standards for diver’s watches at the time.” The modern watch’s stated standard should not be projected backward onto the historical original.
The blue-grey RE-AU0503N is limited to 700 pieces, according to Orient Star’s 2026 release. A limited production figure describes availability; on its own, it does not establish future collectability or investment value.
Rank #4
Is the Longines worth the extra money?
There is no defensible dollar or percentage premium to quote without a current Orient price for an exact reference in the same market. The Longines U.S. page lists $1,600 for L3.742.4.56.6; the official Orient Star pages reviewed do not state a comparable current U.S. price. Orient Star announced that its U.S. online store purchase service ended June 1, 2026, but that notice concerns that online store and does not establish availability at all U.S. retailers. Confirm current local stock and pricing before comparing totals.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteOn the published specifications, the Longines gives you 300 m water resistance, up to 72 hours of reserve and a five-year warranty. The Orient Star gives you the reserve indicator, its in-house F6N47 movement and a design linked to the 1964 Olympia Calendar Diver. Those differences help explain what each watch emphasizes; they do not prove that one has better finishing, real-world accuracy, comfort, service life or resale value. No independent comparative performance results are established here.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HydroConquest if…
- You value the higher published 300 m rating.
- You prefer the longer stated reserve and the five-year warranty listed on the U.S. page.
- You have confirmed the local price and warranty terms for the exact HydroConquest reference you are considering.
Choose the Orient Star if…
- You want a visible power-reserve indicator.
- You prefer the M42’s heritage-led design and the F6N47 movement’s stated features.
- You are comparing a particular Orient reference—such as the 40.2 mm RE-AU0502S or 41.0 mm RE-AU0503N—against a similarly sized Longines.
The listed case diameters are close for these selected models, but diameter alone does not establish fit. Check dependable lug-to-lug measurements or try the watch on; the Orient RE-AU0502S page, for example, lists a 49.6 mm height as well as its width and thickness.
For a meaningful price comparison, match the country, generation, size and bracelet configuration, then use current prices for both exact references. Without that like-for-like price check, the specifications can be compared, but the amount of “extra money” cannot.
Quick Recap
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.
