There are few watches that inspire the kind of enthusiasm we’ve seen for the Casio Duro. We’ve reviewed it here at TBWS, recommended it countless times, and I’ve spent more time than I’d care to admit browsing r/DuroGang (easily one of my favorite little corners of the watch internet). For a relatively inexpensive quartz diver, the Duro has developed a pretty entertaining community around it. Now, Casio is introducing the MDV-106C, complete with fabric straps and a dial design that gives this familiar watch a slightly different look.
I think the update makes a lot of sense, especially when you consider how people have been wearing and modifying these watches for years.
The original MDV-106 debuted in 2011 and has remained a popular choice for anyone interested in an affordable dive watch. Its appeal is easy to understand. You get a stainless steel case, rotating timing bezel, reliable quartz movement, and 200 meters of water resistance. The standard resin-strap version retails for around $85, although finding one for considerably less isn’t particularly difficult.
With the new MDV-106C, Casio has made a couple of changes that I think suit the watch quite well. The familiar circular and rectangular hour markers have been replaced with Arabic numerals, giving the dial a bit of a field-watch influence. The thick resin strap is also gone, with fabric taking its place across three configurations.
Two versions feature black dials paired with either black or tan straps, while a third comes in olive green with a matching strap. To me, the tan strap and black dial combination is particularly appealing. There’s something about that pairing that works with the Duro’s straightforward design, and I like how it gives the watch a more casual appearance.
The rest of the package should be familiar to anyone who’s spent time looking at the Duro. The stainless steel case measures 44.2mm wide, 48.5mm lug-to-lug, and 12.1mm thick. You still get an aluminum bezel, mineral crystal, date window at 3 o’clock, and screw-down crown. The battery-powered quartz movement is rated to approximately ±20 seconds per month, with an estimated three-year battery life. Water resistance remains at 200 meters.
I’ve handled the Duro before, and its dimensions are certainly something to consider. At 44.2mm, it’s a fairly substantial watch, and I’m curious to see how the new fabric straps interact with that case. I wouldn’t assume they’ll automatically make it more comfortable, although I can appreciate having another factory option.
Pricing is where things get a little interesting. The MDV-106C models retail for $110, about $25 more than the standard resin versions. That’s a meaningful increase when we’re talking about a watch this affordable, especially considering how inexpensive aftermarket straps can be.
Still, in my opinion, $110 remains reasonable for a stainless steel Casio with 200 meters of water resistance. And given how frequently Duro owners experiment with different straps, I think Casio was smart to explore these configurations.
My take is that the MDV-106C gives an already familiar watch a little more flexibility in its appearance. I like the direction, and I’m especially interested in seeing what the folks over at r/DuroGang think once these start showing up on wrists. Something tells me the strap swapping won’t stop anytime soon.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.