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Casio MDV106-1A “Duro” Dive Watch Review

by Josh Wussow 18 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

You know what they say about love at first sight? Well, sometimes second sight comes with the benefit of experience, once absence has worked its magic on the heart. (Re)Enter the Casio MDV106-1A “Duro,” a $44, stainless steel dive watch running on batteries and quartz. I owned and sold one of these 20bar bargains about six months ago, before purchasing a second one for the purpose of this review

Casio MDV106-1A Duro

Buy on Amazon

With many of the watches here on BladeReviews featuring price tags of at least three digits, the Duro’s sub-$50 cost may cause readers to overlook its incredible value and capability. This was certainly the case with me, when it left my collection after I got my hands on the Citizen Promaster Diver. But, now that I’ve handled a few higher-end pieces, the humble Casio shines all the brighter.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro Comparison

Enough backstory – Let’s get to the figures and review. I should note that these measurements are an amalgamation of generally-agreed-upon figures, since my tools are still packed away from my recent move. Here you go:

  • Case Width: 44mm
  • Case Thickness: 12mm
  • Lug to Lug: 48mm
  • Depth Rating: 20Bar (200m)
  • Weight: 3.2oz on the rubber strap
  • Movement: Casio Quartz Movement (Module 2784)
  • Lug Width: 22mm

Fit

As you can see from the dimensions and comparison shots, the Duro is a rather large watch. It’s about as big as my medium-sized wrist can support without appearing to make a fashion statement. The stock rubber bracelet keeps this ticking chunk of stainless secured, and the single keeper and metal buckle operate without issue. More on the bracelet later, but it’s a solid functional design.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro on the Wrist

Here’s something to note, if you’re thinking about swapping out the stock strap: While most websites list the lug width at 20mm, I’ve found this to be closer to 22mm. So, if you’re eyeing up a NATO, be sure to buy accordingly.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro Thickness

Overall, the Duro wears pretty darn well. It was on my wrist for all but one day on my recent cross-country move, as well as the week of packing beforehand. Despite its size, at no point did it become a nuisance. Quite the opposite, in fact. There were many times, whether packing, driving, or moving in, when the weight of the watch on my wrist served as a welcome bit of reassurance. This sentiment held through four states worth of hotel gyms, showers, and pools.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro at a Swimming Pool

Movement

Try as I might, I haven’t been able to dig up the exact specs for the Duro’s movement. I’m not alone in this, either – Folks like TGV from The Urban Gentry Youtube channel and other far more qualified reviewers have encountered a similar barricade. The general consensus seems to be that Casio employs one of their stock quartz movements, shown on the case back and manual as module number 2784. This crystal-controlled setup is powered by a three-year SR626SW battery, with an accuracy rating of +/-20 seconds per month.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro Next to a Flower

Now, before you get too bent out of shape over that third of a minute, let me state that both of the Duros I’ve owned have come nowhere near that figure. At most, they’ve gained between one and two seconds per week. Accuracy here is on par with the Citizen and INOX, and significantly better than the mechanicals in my collection.

The Duro’s most striking feature is its second hand. Unlike many quartz pieces in this price range (I’m looking at you, Timex), its red-tipped ticker hits each of the indices with laser precision. There’s no waggle, stutter, or hesitation in its arc, which isn’t something I can say for my $250 INOX. This is excellent, and it’s been the case on both of my Duros.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro

Then there’s the date window. It’s nothing fancy, but visibility is decent and the changeover is solid. Setting is accomplished by pulling the crown to the first position and spinning counter-clockwise to advance the day.

Speaking of setting, I do have a minor nitpick here. Full disclosure – I’m a little obsessive-compulsive when it comes to my minute hand lining up with the markers. When the seconds hit zero, I want that long hand to be pointing dead-on at the desired minute. On some cheaper watches (or, again, the INOX), the minute hand has a tendency to jump a fraction of a millimeter when pressing the crown back into place. This creates a maddening misalignment, causing me to repeat the setting process over and over until everything lines up exactly. The Duro, unfortunately, suffers from a minor case of this hand-hopping. If you’re not a crazy person like me, this won’t be a big deal.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro

Case and Crown

If Casio is going to hit me with a “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” on their movement, then I may as well take a long, hard look at the curtain. The case housing the Duro’s internals is made of stainless steel, with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. And while it may be rather large, it does play host to some nice details. Take the case back, for instance. Casio has clearly etched all of the relevant data (Reference number, water resistance, etc.) into the steel, with the welcome addition of their classic marlin logo. This prominent fish only appears on Casios with a rating of 20Bar or higher. It’s a pretty cool bit of badging for a timepiece costing less than $50.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro Case Back

The crown, like the case back, is of the screw-down variety. There are two nicely chamfered guards surrounding it, with enough slope and rounded edges to keep them from digging into the wrist. The crown itself is unbranded, with enough of a polished finish to reflect my face like a funhouse mirror. It screws into place relatively easily, though not as smoothly as my higher-priced divers. There is a bit of wiggle in its unwound state, but nothing substantial enough to cause concern.

Dial, Bezel, and Crystal

Speaking of wiggle, let’s talk about the Duro’s bezel. You’d expect a cheap diver to come with some play in its timekeeping ring, right? Well, that’s not the case here. The Duro’s 120-click, unidirectional bezel is rock solid, with a prominently lumed pip at the zero position. The canted coin edge is quite grippy, so long as your hands aren’t soaking wet.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro

Within the bezel lies the crystal, composed of hardened mineral glass. Not a favorite material among watch lovers, but I think Casio deserves some credit here. At $44, they could have cheapened out and gone with some form of plastic. The Duro’s large mineral crystal is perfectly serviceable for a basic beater watch, and mine picked up only a single scratch after several weeks’ worth of moving-related work.

Let’s gaze beneath the crystal, to the real appeal of the Duro. Each of its indices are applied, and the polished hands are distinct and well-wrought. This combination makes this an eminently readable watch from almost any angle, a trait that proved truly valuable on my long-haul trip. The branding is subtle and well done, with another marlin to match the one on the case back. The dial itself is something of a flat black, though there’s a bit of a sunburst if viewed from the proper angle. This deceptively simple combination lends a real pop to the hands and indices, along with the bright red of the second hand.

The most common complaint associate with the Duro lies in its lume. Here’s a comparison shot, with the $150 Citizen Promaster on the right, and the $250 Victorinox INOX on the left:

Casio MDV106-1A Duro Lume Shot

While it looks okay here, I can tell you from experience that this nigh-universal gripe is warranted. The lume begins fading almost immediately and will be all but invisible within a few minutes. The lone exception comes in the outdoors, on nights far away from the streetlight glow. You’ll be able to read it in the darkness of your tent, but it won’t be an easy affair.

Strap/Bracelet

So, the strap – Many of the big-name reviewers I’ve come across aren’t a fan of the rubber. And I’ll be honest: I didn’t give it much of a chance on the first Duro I owned. I had a BluShark NATO shipped to me as part of the package, and that’s the way I wore it. But, since the second watch arrived, I’ve worn it almost exclusively on the stock strap. Maybe if I’d done this the first time, I wouldn’t have needed to buy the watch twice.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro on a Nato Strap

Let me elaborate a bit here. The stock rubber isn’t great. I’ve heard Nick Shabazz describe it with words to the effect of “baby’s first watch.” And, with the higher-end stuff he generally reviews, he’s probably not too far off base. But, for whatever reason, this basic rubber bracelet just works for me. It’s comfortable, secure, easily adjustable, and (most importantly) low-profile.

Because the Duro is already a rather large watch, the addition of even a trimmed-down NATO makes it tower over the bones of my wrist. This becomes immediately inconvenient for a watch doing beater duty. It’ll snag, smack, and otherwise scratch against every tree, desktop, and doorknob in your path. Or, at least, that’s what happened to me. While the basic rubber didn’t keep the bezel from becoming close with bookshelves and moving boxes, the effect was greatly reduced from its nylon counterpart.

Casio MDV106-1A Duro on the OEM Rubber Strap

Casio MDV106-1A “Duro” Review – Final Thoughts

Look – This is a great watch. I’d go so far as to say that it’s the best under-$50 timepiece I’ve tested, and one of the three best under $100 (the Casio WVA-M640 and Citizen BM-8180 being the others). And on top of its aesthetic and functional merits, it’s also one of the most accessible divers on the market. Next time you’re at your local Walmart, make a quick stop at the jewelry counter. There, next to the cubic zirconia earrings and cheap wedding rings, you’ll probably find a Casio Duro.

Still, I’d recommend purchasing the watch online, as in-store prices always hover a bit higher than those in cyberspace. Whether you’re looking for a beater watch for yourself, or maybe a gift for someone who’s thinking about getting into timepieces, this is a splendid, budget-friendly choice. Take it from me, the guy who was dumb enough to sell his first one – This is a watch you’ll enjoy having in your collection.

Sale
Casio Men's MDV106-1AV 200M Black Dive Watch (MDV106-1A)
Casio Men's MDV106-1AV 200M Black Dive Watch (MDV106-1A)
  • Stainless Steel case with Black Resin Band
  • Black Dial with date window at 3 O'clock
  • Luminous markers and hour hands; sweep second hand
  • Anti-reverse bezel
  • Water-resistant to 200 M (660 feet)
$44.60 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Casio Duro at Amazon and watches in general at Jomashop. Thanks for reading!

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Filed Under: Watch Reviews

About Josh Wussow

Josh Wussow is a freelance writer, reviewer, and the questionable mind behind JourneywindJunk. See what he's up to on his Instagram page, @JourneywindJunk.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bdc says

    July 22, 2018 at 9:32 am

    An outstanding review.

    I appreciate the honesty. 1. a watch costing 3x as much may have the same accuracy; 2. I hate rubber bands, although I have about 6 watches with the same. 3. I don’t wear my cheap rubber band watches for the reasons indicated in the review.

    Beater watch comments. My “beater” watches. I work in the garden, work with tools, carry boxes, work on cars. I don’t swim or shower with a watch or do 100 yard crawls on my belly. I check my watch against the computer clock (atomic time) a couple of times a year. If the face gets scratched, too bad. So my Goodwill used Timex watch with a twist-a-flex metal band is just fine. The beater watches with the rubber bands are mostly used Timex ironmen purchased from Goodwill.

    Reply
  2. Kirill says

    July 24, 2018 at 9:40 am

    A note on the minute hand doing a hop when pressing the crown. I found on my Casio Edifice that if I pinch the crown with the thumb and index finger against the crown guards, then I can gently press it down without a wiggle.

    Reply
    • Rod says

      November 15, 2020 at 7:52 am

      many thanks for this great review. just helped a lot with my new casio duro! cheers

      Reply
  3. S.K.S. says

    August 21, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    Hi 🙂
    I found information about the movement. It came from CITIZEN. The model is Miyota 2115. Here I leave You some images:

    Reply
  4. David Lara says

    December 7, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Nice review I’m now convinced to buy one and change the strap. If you don’t fancy the bulky effect that comes with a 1 pc Nato strap you should instead buy a 2 pc one like the Clockwork Synergy – 2 Piece Classic NATO SS Nylon Band it is sold on Amazon or in its official website: http://www.clockworksynergy.com, I think it will make look the watch like in the James Bond movie of 1962, Dr. No.

    Reply
  5. Mike H says

    February 2, 2019 at 6:07 pm

    I put mine on a metal bracelet and think it looks worlds better and much more expensive than it is.

    Reply
  6. Chuck says

    February 18, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    Why do you call it the Duro? I’ve never seen that before. I call it the Big Marlin on my website, TwistedBezel.com. I also regret giving mine away, but it was to an old business associate and it replaced his Submariner 5512, that he sold for near $25k! He wanted something else to swim with…

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      February 18, 2019 at 8:55 pm

      Chuck, No idea. They seem to refer to it that way on Amazon.

      Cheers,

      Dan

      Reply
  7. S.K.S. says

    February 20, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    The name of this watch series is DURO 200. There are many models. Check this out:
    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29196587_2051440895114361_9135942913778253824_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=dd0b4d5f70ca7349fd4fbbadca22d94f&oe=5CB0FD23

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29244414_2051440988447685_4506939664522805248_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=9f0e997ac50290af5f9b99c09941c743&oe=5C6E6317

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29313213_2051441075114343_3664076831176261632_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=5ee4fcdd935954f30a1c27981fe59661&oe=5C6E6134

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29243733_2051440885114362_1447742018447998976_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=ffcfaafa7cbdbf1ae933f38f79b8a61a&oe=5CAE7825

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29249421_2051441041781013_8097498084499521536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=a32096c4e321a0831b175c6361abaafb&oe=5CA96F9F

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29214305_2051441058447678_7489371212632555520_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=2c44791193959089cd09393e566a2e8d&oe=5CA731B9

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29244241_2051440991781018_2677387946952228864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=395dc1a14f240c0067e89097f68b2a68&oe=5C76C5BE

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29196753_2051440958447688_2053386579606503424_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=6fe07ef9bb7d0b8f7c07ec7235b6c512&oe=5C742253

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22281636_1977218545869930_7950464040722253364_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=85215482297204703ee7e82d8129479b&oe=5CA580DA

    https://scontent-sof1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22281615_1977218609203257_1376624893287855151_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-sof1-1.xx&oh=47234a225fc71645c2e9accf064181cd&oe=5CAA0F90

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      February 20, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      S.K.S., Well, there’s our answer! Thanks!

      Dan

      Reply
  8. Mike Roberson says

    May 5, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    Fitted my MDV106-1A with a Bonetto Cinturini 22mm Black Rubber Mens Watch Strap Model 285 . Awesome look and super duper comfort is light years better than stock resin band. Now passes for an expensive Seiko diver watch.

    Amazon Price: ~$30.00 & FREE Shipping
    – Made in Italy from high quality, vanilla-scented vulcanized nitrile NBR rubber (not silicone, will not attract lint or dust)
    – Nitrile rubber is waterproof, non-toxic and non-allergenic; resistant to salt and UVA rays
    – Bonetto Cinturini produces OEM rubber dive straps for many of the world’s most famous watchmakers
    – 20mm polished stainless steel buckle

    Reply
  9. andrew says

    August 14, 2019 at 8:40 am

    great review, great watch. i alternate this and a 2005-vintage seiko (skx007j) as my wear and forget watches for pretty much anything I do outdoors. you could, if inclined, replace the stock strap with a two-piece nato; I wear it with one-piece zulu straps and prefer it that way. (I have a larger wrist, so up to about 48-50mm works fine for me for watches).

    The editor’s note at the end refers to this as the “citizen duro,” an understandable mistake given the quality of this watch – but come on, give Casio credit for the outstanding execution in putting this great watch together!

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      August 14, 2019 at 7:58 pm

      Andrew,

      Thanks for taking the time out to leave a comment. Glad you enjoy the Duro as well. And the editor has fixed the typo – thanks for pointing that out!

      Dan

      Reply
  10. John Wesley says

    August 15, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    I did find the crystal scratches easily. I didn’t even remember bumping it into any surfaces or putting it in any place that would have caused it to be scratched.
    Fortunately you can get covers for this. So apparently this is an issue. They come in a 5 pack from Amazon and apply like a phone screen protector. I think it also brings out the sunburst on the dial. We’ll worth purchasing if you get this watch.

    Reply
  11. Jon says

    February 26, 2020 at 1:23 am

    I’m tempted, but I have my sights set on the Citizen BN0151 (blue dial preferred) that you show in your pics. However, I already have a Citizen AT8124 with a lug width of 22 mm, while the BN0151 has a lug width of 20 mm, so now that you confirmed the Duro’s lug width is 22 mm, I’m doubly tempted to get the Duro instead so I can use my nato straps on it, aside from it being cheaper as well. It bears noting though that the Duro is not an ISO-certified diver (which the Citizen BN0151 is). And while I will probably never dive that deep in my lifetime, I think it would really make me feel better to have a watch that I know will not conk out on me in waters shallow or deep. Thanks for your review!

    Reply
  12. Barry says

    December 7, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Yeah this things pretty awesome. I’ve worn it doing everything from swimming and hiking in the mountains, putting in the pier and doing yardwork at my parent’s cabin, to trenching electrical lines and wiring new houses (I’m an electrician so I need a solid, durable, cheap beater so I don’t have to risk breaking my phone, which I leave in the truck!).

    My Duro has nver leaked underwater, but I have only gone down about one meter to check on some chain links that I couldn’t get to from the boat ( Yes, of course, I had to test my “diver”s water resistance by “diving” eventually!) and it has never shown any condensation inside when going from a warm house out into the cold in winter. It’s had the battery replaced once (Would LOVE a solar 200m Duro at 42mm, Casio!!!) and the original band got some cracks in it so I replaced it with a Seiko rubber strap off Amazon. The aluminum bezel is now heavily scratched and dinged and the mineral crystal has plenty scratches and a few chips in the edges as well, but the crystal is still watertight and easy enough to see through.

    That’s about 6 or so years of heavy use! AMAZING quality and value-for-money!

    Reply
  13. Jack K says

    August 23, 2022 at 8:53 am

    One of my favorite reviews of the Duro. We buy watches not just to stare down at our arm, but to utilize them on the life adventures we partake.

    Interesting commentary on the band. I too have the Citizen Promaster, a phenomenal watch for the price, and had thought to swap for a bracelet. Since it was going in the water, I figured Citizen knew best and I wanted to wear it as a diver.

    When I bought the Duro (I got the Pepsi bezel at WalMart), the band, which is far cheaper than the Citizen, just looked the part. It gives the watch comfort and its own “diver-style panache,” while making that two-toned bezel jump out. Plus, putting a bracelet on a Duro simply turns it into an Invicta look-alike. And I already have one of these as well!

    Nice bit of writing.

    Reply
  14. Chris says

    September 15, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    I really appreciate this article! I purchased my Duro about 2 months ago as my first watch and I love it! I wanted to learn everything there is to know about my current watch before buying more, and this piece gave me another level of appreciation for what I have. Thanks!

    Reply

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