Casio Duro Mod
Edifice chronograph model EQB510D-1A by Casio with Mobile Link Function so you can be sure you are always on time. World Time dial at 9 o`clock can be set to one of approximately 300 cities around the globe. Use your phone to adjust hand positions, set alarm times, and more. The Casio Duro MDV106-1A dive watch is well known among both diver’s and budget-oriented watch collectors. In this review of the MDV106-1A I’ll show exactly why it’s so well known. Commonly available for only $40 from online retailers such as Amazon, the Casio Duro stands out in that it features 200m water resistance unlike many other.
Goal:
None to model after, I just wanted to reduce bling and break up the large back face
Parts/mods:
- Casio MDV-106 watch – $30
- 45mm Planet Ocean style bezel from eBay – $18
- brushed finish case – free
All-in price of $59
This was a pretty simple mod. When I got the MDV106 I just couldn’t get excited about it. Seemed big and too shiny. Caught too much attention for me because of the largish dial, plain black insert and shiny finish to the case. To fix that I used a scotchbrite green pad to knock the shine off. Then I pried off the stock bezel insert with a hobby knife and glued the PO style insert on. I made sure to only use the amount of adhesive I needed and turned it periodically ot be sure I wasn’t gluing the bezel in a stationary position. Bracelet swap was straight forward. This bracelet did have polished sides to the links so I used the green pad on that too. I am very pleased with the result and wear it often now. My favorite part is the mod didn’t open the internals at all so I feel safe with the original water resistance rating. This could easily serve as my only watch to take on vacations now. It looks good, is dressy enough for my type of vacations, has good water resistance, and wouldn’t cost much to replace.
Before/After:
The Casio Duro MDV106 is one of my favorite watches. I have one I put on a NATO and did a bezel swap on that looks as good as watches costing many times as much as the $40 total investment I have in the watch.It's not a bad watch to begin with, forgive it for being quartz and having a less than stellar strap. At $40 full retail, you can find them on sale or used for $20 and Omega Planet Ocean bezel inserts fit so you can build it out in silver, blue orange or green with commonly available inserts from eBay. At 200m water resistance it's a legit diver beating out higher priced entry level Seikos and higher priced Casio Edifice models. For a 'beater' it's very hard to top.
I
As much as I'd like a more interesting dial, I like the simplicity and the Marlin logo that is reserved for 200m+ rated Casios.
Little known mod, you can swap a Casio MRW200H movement and dial for a great looking retro looking watch on a meager budget and unlike the MRW, the case retains 200m water resistance. You can even pick up different hands from Ofrei and Raffles has some interesting dials.