1
Best reissue ever, full stop.
Tudor Black Bay 58 is the consensus answer to this list. 39mm = original ref. 7924, gilt dial, snowflake hands, riveted bracelet. The reference modern reissue.
What makes a good reissue
A reissue can either copy the original 1:1 (which often means an unwearable 36mm case with inferior modern movement) or update it (which often means inflating to 42mm and losing the original character). The best reissues thread that needle: respectful proportions, modern movement, but the original visual cues.
Tudor Black Bay 58, Doxa Sub 300, Hamilton Intra-Matic, and the Longines Heritage line dominate this category for a reason: they did the proportion work properly.
2
The Cousteau-orange revival.
Doxa Sub 300 reissues the 1967 Cousteau-era reference: cushion case, US Navy no-decompression bezel, orange dial, beads-of-rice bracelet. Most-cited orange diver.
3
38mm dial-correct 1968 reissue.
Hamilton Intra-Matic: pie-pan dial, baton hands, 38mm × 47mm L2L. The dial layout is dead-on accurate to the original 1968 reference.
4
The 1959 super-compressor, finally at 39mm.
Longines Legend Diver 39 uses the 1959 super-compressor case construction (internal bezel via second crown). The 39mm size released in 2023 fixed the only complaint about the original 42mm reissue.
5
1968 Marinemaster, hand-assembled in Shizukuishi.
Seiko SLA047 is the modern reissue of the 1968 6159-7001 Marinemaster. 8L35 (= unbranded GS 9S55) movement, hand-assembled. 39.5mm × 47mm L2L.
6
The Speedmaster's first generation, reissued.
No photo
Omega Speedmaster '57 reissues the 1957 CK 2915 (the original Speedmaster, before lunar association). Broad-arrow hands, no crown guards, alpha hour markers.
7
Breitling's 1957 SuperOcean returned.
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage '57 reissues the 1957 SuperOcean reference. 42mm, 200m water resistance, Breitling B20 in-house movement.
8
Genta-era luxury sport reissue.
VC Historiques 222 revives the 1977 Ref. 222, designed by Jörg Hysek. Yellow gold integrated bracelet, barrel case, nine-notch bezel.
9
David Scott's actual Apollo 15 watch.
Bulova Lunar Pilot reissues David Scott's personal chronograph (worn on Apollo 15 after his Speedmaster crystal popped off). High-frequency 262 kHz quartz.
10
Marine Nationale FXD spec reissued.
Tudor Pelagos FXD reissues the 1970s French Navy Marine Nationale-issued Tudor Submariner ("Marine Nationale"). Fixed strap bars (FXD = fixed), 200m water resistance, titanium case.
Honourable mentions
Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage 1957 · 234.30.41Omega's 1957 Seamaster reissue.
Hamilton Pioneer Mechanical Pilot · H761970s RAF reissue, ~€800.
Bremont Argonaut · 40mmSmith reissue, ~€3,200.
How to choose
Best one to own: Tudor Black Bay 58. Best heritage chrono: Speedmaster '57 or Hamilton Intra-Matic. Best heritage diver: Doxa Sub 300, Longines Legend Diver, or Seiko SLA047 by personal preference.