A friend of mine had an old Casio watch and I thought it was time to get a new one. So, I went on the internet and found this great deal for a Casio MDV106-1AV. This is my review of that watch!
The "casio mdv-106" is a watch that comes with a variety of features. It has a 1.76-inch screen, and it also has an alarm, timer, stopwatch and more.
In This Article...
The best example of a high-quality, affordable dive watch now on the market is the MDV106-1AV Casio.
A few weeks ago, a YouTube subscriber to our channel left a remark on the MDV106-1AV Casio. Every criterion I had for a "cheap" diver is satisfied by this "small" Casio: it costs less than $75 (less than $50 at the time of this writing), is constructed well (apart from "expensive" materials like sapphire), and has a Water Resistance of 200M rating (that makes it water-ready but not necessary dive-ready- more on that below).
The MDV106-1AV is exactly as competent as its deep-water appearance promises, and it is attractive for a diver. Actually, I had to take a second look at it since, if I hadn't paid $45 for it myself on Amazon, I would have had no clue that the watch wasn't a $200 or more model.
Let's create some waves with the most accessible and widely used diver from Casio with that in mind.
Technical Information about the Casio MDV106-1A
- MDV106-1AV is the model number.
- MSRP: $70
- 44mm case diameter
- There are many alternatives and styles for alternative models.
- Quartz movement
- Problems: Date display
- Estimated battery life of 3 to 5 years
- Waterproofing: 200 meters/660 feet
- Mineral makes up the crystals.
Concerning Casio Watches
Product Information
Casio, which was founded in 1946, was among the first companies to lead the quartz revolution. The Casiotron, the first of many products they would offer that will reshape several watch market sectors, was debuted in 1974.
The F-91W, the G-Shock line, and the databank series of calculator watches are just a few of the notable timepieces they have produced throughout the years. Find out more about Casio's past here.
Comparison
Other choices you can take into account with comparable difficulties and grey-market affordability:
Other Budget-Friendly Dive Watches
With comparable price ranges and ratings for water resistance:
It should be noted that the watches mentioned above have not been evaluated; they are not "recommendations" based on actual use.
Water Resistance of 200M
Other timepieces with 200m water resistance and comparable price ranges:
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You should be aware that WYCA earns a roughly 4% fee on the sale of the watch you purchase if you click on advertisements. The cost you pay is unaffected by this.
However, it does enable us to buy camera equipment ($5,000+ since 2013), software licenses (such as Adobe Photoshop), site hosting, and other things. Oh, and it also enables us to purchase additional watches.
The enamel dial is quite attractive.
This Casio diver immediately made a good impact on me. The enamel dial, which I attempted to highlight in a few of the photographs, is a wonderful eye-catcher. It is not at all intrusive and reflects light in an aesthetically pleasant manner. I like how it gives the dial a little bit of a diffused sunlight feel.
The lume, which I have found to be pretty outstanding, deserves special mention. Additionally, it seems to charge rather fast; even a short period of time in the sun is sufficient to give the lume a significant charge and duration.
The of the hour markers, all three hands, and the dot on the unidirectional rotating bezel have enough lume. If you're looking for a fully-loaded diver, you may want to take into account previous reviews that have mentioned the bezel's lack of lume on other parts of the bezel.
There are several dive chops on the MDV106-1AV.
The 200m dive rating is a little deceptive (at least, to the novice watch enthusiast). Water resistance/dive ratings come in a variety of forms, and their names are similarly ambiguous. A watch with a 50m water resistance rating is ideal for wearing when swimming or fishing, but it cannot dive to a depth of 50m. Is that clear? That's right; it doesn't to me either.
The MDV106-1A in this instance has a screw-down crown and is water-resistant up to 200 meters. Therefore, you may wear it when swimming, in the pool, hot tub, and even during relatively shallow dives... but avoid going too far. That is not a rating for it.
However, it has performed admirably in a variety of aquatic settings, including a swimming pool (I dove down 5-8 meters and it held up just fine), a hot tub (a watch's worst enemy), and extended immersion in an operating ultrasonic cleaner (which gave me my first painful lesson about water resistance when I subjected my Jazzmaster Day/Date to an ultrasonic clean... and subsequent service).
During my research for this review, I found that there aren't many high-quality dive watches with 200-meter or more water resistance that are priced around $75. One of the few alternatives from a company whose name I knew was this Casio. The segment leader, in fact.
What Are the Differences Between the MDV106-1AV and Other Divers I’ve Review?
I'll admit that my knowledge of diving watches is somewhat limited. I've evaluated the Tissot Seastar Powermatic 80, Orient Mako, Cadence Buccaneer (discontinued), and Audaz Scuba Master. Additionally, Auke evaluated the Steinhart Ocean 1.
The Scuba Master and Seastar are both serious diving watches, and none of the above-mentioned watches compete on the lower end of the affordability range.
Although the Mako is a superior watch (as I highlighted in my review), the automatic movement is the only factor that makes it preferable to the Casio (apart from the fantastic Pepsi style). If you don't care about it, the MDV106-1A is an equally decent option that costs just a sixth as much.
This Casio diver stands out among the divers I've tried in terms of price to performance. When it comes to straightforward, no-nonsense dives, it's definitely the finest bargain out there, and it's still generally accessible for purchase.
Operation
- Pull the crown to the furthest point to set the time (position 3). To change the time, turn the crown counterclockwise. Keep in mind that the date display will recalculate itself at midnight.
- Pull the crown to the center to change the date (position 2). To change the date, turn the crown in the other direction.
Casio did a good job on building the MDV106-1AV.
Once you get the bezel in the desired position, it stays there firmly. The bezel rotates through each position with a haptic click. Some bezels have a shaky feel; this one is really sturdy.
I really enjoy how easy it is to use the screw-down crown. The motion on many of the watches I've examined with screw-downs is clumsy and sometimes sticky. Most of the ones I've tried had a propensity to misthread when closing, necessitating an opening and another attempt. This Casio did not provide me with this problem.
This Casio's shell is amazing, but the dial's construction quality is equally outstanding.
There are no obvious flaws in the application of the hour markers, and the lume is distributed uniformly on each. Even with a lot of magnification, I can't see any machining or craftsmanship issues. If this watch is badly manufactured, they've done a great job of hiding it.
How does the Casio Affordable Diver feel on your wrist?
This reasonably priced diver looks great on the wrist. It has a commanding presence that is both welcome and explained by its 44mm and dive-style design. It feels just as high-quality as it appears, and it also looks very fantastic. It doesn't have the appearance or feel of a cheap watch.
The mineral crystal is obviously the one significant exception in this case. Mineral just lacks the durability required to endure the test of time. In other words, you should prepare for the mineral crystal to eventually need to be replaced. When it happens totally depends on how and when you wear the watch. If you take care of the mineral crystal, it can endure a lifetime. Who though buys a diving watch to take care of it?
Unexpectedly, it's not a loud watch to wear.
This, in my opinion, is mostly attributable to Casio's minimalist aesthetic and the MDV106-lack 1AV's of a towering profile. It's tall, as shown in these pictures, albeit maybe not quite as tall as you would anticipate a diver with a 200m rating to be.
A New Dive Favorite & Recommended Buy
I've always been a supporter of Casio watches (repping with a F-91W, A158W, and Ca-53 Databank). The MDV106-1AV will likewise be a long-term member of my 44-piece collection (Melissa claims I have a problem, but I don't agree ;)).
With this reasonably priced diver, Casio has shown that you don't have to break the bank to have a skilled, respectable-quality diver. The MDV106-1AV is a perfectly adequate companion for 99% of individuals searching for something to go with them in the water or during short dives, even if you can't take it very deep.
Fans of diving-style will enjoy how nicely done this Casio is, in especially the enamel dial, and those who need a diver in order for a dive watch to function will like that this Casio can more than pay that check.
Highly recommended for anybody who enjoys diving on a budget.
Disclaimer: Because of customers like you who buy watches on Amazon using our affiliate links, I was able to acquire this watch for the sake of this review. We appreciate your help in enabling us to maintain our objectivity and high standards.
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Summary
evaluated by
C. M. Martel
Review Period
2018-04-06
Observed Item
MDV106-1AV Casio
Rating
The "Casio Duro Mods" is a hands-on review of the Casio MDV106-1AV watch. The watch has an analog face and a digital display. It also features a stopwatch, alarm, timer, calendar, and world time. Reference: casio duro mods.
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