Casio updates its iconic dive watch with a fabric strap, but it'll cost you

After updating the legendary F-91W with a cloth strap, Casio has now decided to extend the same treatment to another iconic model in its catalog: the Casio Duro MDV106. Widely regarded as the best affordable dive watch, the Duro has remained largely unchanged since its debut in 2011. But that's finally changing as Casio is giving its budget-friendly icon a fresh look.

The new Duro ditches the stiff resin band for a woven fabric strap and arrives in three stylish variants. The MDV106C-1AV features a classic black dial, matching black bezel, and black cloth strap. The MDV106C-3AV has a green sunray dial paired with a dark bezel and olive strap, while the MDV106C-9AV comes with a black dial and bezel with a tan band and a matching tan seconds hand.

The dial has also received a visual refresh. Casio has swapped out the familiar applied circular and rectangular indices for bold, legible Arabic numerals, which give the new model a distinctly utilitarian field-watch vibe.

Everything else stays the same

Beyond these cosmetic changes, it’s business as usual. The specs and dimensions are largely identical to the existing resin-strap models, with all three new watches measuring 44.2mm across and 12.1mm thick and powered by a quartz movement with a three-year battery life.

The water resistance rating remains robust, with the new model still offering 200 meters of water resistance, suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The familiar arrow-shaped hands, date window at 3 o’clock, and Marlin emblem at 6 o’clock also remain, as does the unidirectional aluminum bezel with markings and a screw-down crown with crown guards and a brushed screw-lock case back.

First introduced all the way back in 2011, the original MDV-106 became an instant cult classic and mainstream hit, famously gracing the wrist of Bill Gates. Watch enthusiasts and casual wearers adore the Duro for a simple reason: it delivers legit diver capability with classic looks and sturdy construction for a fraction of the price of its competitors.

The new look comes at a price

There’s no doubt Casio has another hit on its hands. That said, the new fabric-equipped models do command a notable premium over the existing resin variants. You’ll have to pay $110 to get your hands on the upgraded Duro. That’s roughly a $40 jump over the MDV-106 resin variants, which can be easily found under $70 on Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers. 

The new Casio Duro MDV106C lineup is now available in the US directly from Casio's website. It's not clear when it will make its way to other markets.

Casio Duro MDV106C specifications

• Case size: 48.5 × 44.2 × 12.1mm
• Case and bezel: Stainless steel case with aluminum bezel
• Dial options: Black or green sunray
• Band: Fabric strap
• Glass: Mineral crystal
• Water resistance: 200 meters
• Movement: Quartz
• Battery life: Approximately 3 years (SR626SW)
• Accuracy: ±20 seconds per month
• Crown: Screw-down
• Case back: Screw-lock
• Bezel: Unidirectional rotating bezel
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date display
• Weight: 96g
• Compatible wrist size: 175–215mm