Casio Duro Watch: Discover Why It Is a Must-Have

Are you looking for an affordable daily dive watch? How does the $50 Casio Duro watch sound?

What will it take for me to convince you to buy the Casio Duro watch? (And no, Casio is not paying me to write this.) It might be one of the most practical and sensible decisions of your life.

The truth is that Casio watches are the first choice when it comes to affordability, durability, and performance. 

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t sing Casio’s praises enough. Lavish, high-end designs and collectibles that cost an arm and a leg often distract me.

But not every investment needs to leave your wallet empty. The Casio Duro is such a good deal; it almost feels like you’re getting many of its features for free.

The Casio Duro watch has to be one of the most affordable dive watches on the planet. It’s been around since 2011 and is still going strong. You might look at the model and wonder what’s so special about it. 

After all, it’s just a quartz-powered, analog dive watch with a black dial. Haven’t we seen that combo a thousand times before?

Yes, but show me another brand that makes a $50 dive watch that won’t fall apart after a few months. I think you’ll struggle. 

The Casio Duro (AKA the MDV106, the “Marlin” or simply, the “Duro”) is not a copy of the Rolex Submariner. Moreover, it’s a Submariner alternative and an homage watch with everything you need in a daily beater.   

The Facts You Need To Know About the Casio Duro Watch

Throughout the history of the dive watch, we’ve come to appreciate its unique characteristics: robustness, legibility, accuracy, and water resistance.

For its price point, the Casio Marlin offers some stunning features that would be unjust not to mention. For example, the taut 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel does a stellar job of marking time underwater. 

The luminous pip at 0 and knurled edge are tasteful details that modestly enhance the design. I should also mention that, unlike many similarly priced designs, the bezel promises perfect alignment. 

Finely executed bevels across the case and lugs elevate the execution of this watch to the next level. The polished and brushed finishes look anything but cheap. 

A sleek, legible black dial sits within the model’s hefty 44mm proportions, topped with a mineral crystal. The display’s hour markers are typical of a dive watch. They comprise circular and tapering profiles accompanying a minute hand and an arrow depicting the hour hand. 

A date window sits at 3 o’clock, not underneath a Submariner-inspired Cyclops lens, mind you. But the splash of red on the second hand certainly adds a nice shot of color and character to the dial. 

The marlin logo is the hallmark of Casio’s dive watch, appearing on the dial and case back. The watch also has a screw-down crown that sits flush with the crown guards — a particularly nice feature. 

Given these features, it’s easy to see why the watch meets universal approval. It imparts many attributes that you’d expect in some of the best dive watches on the market. 

Casio Duro Mods 

Have you got the Duro bug yet? Unfortunately, a side effect is an inability to resist modifying it. Trust me, it sweeps through Casio Duro-collecting circles like wildfire. Fans love to play about with its design. 

Tweaking and changing things up can greatly transform the Casio Duro. It all depends on whether you’re happy with the no-frills version or whether you feel it needs more. I like it just the way it is.

If you’re new to the modding scene, you might look for ways to elevate the Marlin. Some collectors like to swap the aluminum bezel for a sapphire or ceramic one. Changing the bezel’s color can drastically alter the look of the MDV-106 and is a fun customization option. 

Other Casio Duro mods include swapping the strap. Switching out its already durable and comfortable resin band for a NATO strap will achieve a distinctive military-inspired look. Swapping it for a steel bracelet brings it closer to the iconic Submariner aesthetic. 

If you wish to elevate the Duro watch to a more technical level, you could consider upgrading the dial lume. Super-LumiNova is a superior luminous material to what Duro offers.

For extra brightness and longevity, lume replacement on the hands and hour markers will ensure a longer-lasting glow.  

The Casio Duro Bracelet 

For just under $22, you can unlock more potential in the Casio Duro and pair it with an attractive bracelet.

Metal bracelets with fitted end links are hard to find at mainstream retailers. But Casio fans insist that this “Oyster” bracelet from eBay integrates beautifully with the case. Plus, there are seven micro-adjustment holes to play around with. 

The Casio Duro 38mm 

The great thing about the Duro design is that under the reference MDV-107, a plethora of colored dial options are available. Whether you make modifications or choose different dial colors, its size is huge. Enter the Casio Duro 38mm. 

This was Casio’s way of saying, “Yes, customers, we hear you! Here’s one for the smaller guys.” But wait. It didn’t receive the praise many predicted. The consensus is that it is small — really small, more like 36mm.

Size wasn’t the only thing Casio shaved off, either. Some of its features had gone, too. The brand replaced the raised chapter ring with a printed one. 

The different lume colors disappointed fans, and so did the water resistance, which dropped to a mere 50M. 

If those weren’t enough changes, the Casio Duro 38mm also featured a downgraded 60-click bezel with an undesirable backplay. Here’s where one may argue that there are better small watches under $50 out there.

One surprising difference, however, was the replacement of the resin strap for the stainless steel bracelet. With a folding clasp and push-release links, Casio has spent some time and focus on this feature. 

Nevertheless, the Casio Duro, although still an excellent bang-for-your-buck option, didn’t garner half as much interest as the respectable MDV106. 

Is Casio Duro a Good Watch? 

Don’t get me wrong; as a $50 diver watch, the Casio Duro has a few drawbacks. (Don’t tell me you weren’t expecting me to say that.) However, yes, it is a good watch.

The point where the case band meets the case back could be smoother. That milling process sure needs a little refinement. Plus, those searching for dive watches for small wrists will feel the 44mm case needs to be smaller.

But, so long as the sheer size of the Duro doesn’t put you off, you’ll struggle to find much else to complain about. I mean, it’s not compliant with ISO standards. But 200-meter water resistance goes far beyond what you could find anywhere else for $50.

So, is Casio Duro a good watch?

At the end of the day, the robust dive watch is easy on the eye and easy on the wallet. It’s also widely available, so you can pick this beauty up at pretty much any dealership. For budget-conscious buyers, there’s no reason this can’t be the daily beater diver everyone needs in their life. 

So Easy To Love

Whether you wear Casio watches or not, I’m pretty sure the Duro will leave a good impression on you. So, if you’ve been debating whether to buy it for a while, take the plunge, literally!

Swim, snorkel, play sports with it, or enjoy it for its archetypal dive watch aesthetic. What have you really got to lose? 

For many collectors, the Rolex Sub needs to be more attainable. Those lucky enough to own one probably don’t dare to enjoy it on the wrist daily. It’s the same for pricier scuba dive watches, although it’s nice to have the option if you can afford one. 

The Marlin makes no apologies for the inspiration it takes from the Submariner. You could say its sole purpose is to appeal to those seeking a more affordable version of the iconic timepiece. 

The Submariner is like the expensive sports car you only drive on the occasional warm day. It sits in the garage, beautifully polished, waiting for the right occasion.

The Duro is the daily runabout. It is reliable, sturdy, and more than capable of facing a multitude of adverse weather conditions thrown its way. 

So, my advice to you? Stop thinking about it and buy the Casio Duro watch now. You can thank me later. 

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