Casio MDV106 vs MDV-107: Which Casio Duro Should You Buy?

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen someone order an MDV-107 thinking it was the same watch they’d seen in older YouTube reviews or Reddit posts about the Casio Duro.

Technically, they weren’t wrong.

The case is almost identical. The movement is the same. Both watches have a stainless steel case, a rotating dive bezel, a screw-down crown, a screw-down case back and 200 m water resistance.

Then they notice one small detail.

The Marlin on the dial is gone.

That tiny fish has become surprisingly important among Duro fans. It doesn’t make the watch more accurate or more durable, but it gives the MDV-106 an identity the newer model doesn’t quite replace.

If both watches were sitting on the same shelf at the same price, I’d still reach for the MDV-106.

Not because it performs better.

After years of seeing the Duro recommended everywhere from watch forums to YouTube channels, the Marlin has become part of what I picture when someone says “Casio Duro.”

That doesn’t mean the MDV-107 is a bad choice. Far from it. If it’s easier to find or noticeably cheaper in your country, you’re still getting everything that made the Duro famous – reliable quartz accuracy, excellent water resistance and one of the best value dive-style watches Casio has ever produced.

Quick Verdict

Short answer: If you’ve always wanted the Casio Duro everyone talks about, buy the MDV-106. If the MDV-107 is considerably cheaper or simply easier to buy where you live, don’t overthink it. You’re getting almost exactly the same watch.

Casio MDV106 vs MDV-107: Main Differences

On paper, these watches are almost impossible to separate.

That’s exactly why so many buyers assume the MDV-107 must be a newer or upgraded Duro.

It isn’t.

Casio left almost everything alone. The movement didn’t change. Water resistance stayed the same. The case remained virtually identical.

The biggest difference isn’t something you’ll notice while wearing the watch.

It’s something you’ll notice every time you look at the dial.

The Marlin Logo: Why Does It Matter?

Ask ten Duro owners which version they’d buy and chances are the conversation will eventually come back to one thing.

The Marlin.

For people outside the watch hobby, it’s just a fish printed on the dial.

For longtime Duro fans, it’s become part of the watch’s identity.

The MDV-106 carries the Marlin on both the dial and the case back. The MDV-107 removes it completely, leaving a cleaner, simpler design.

Neither approach is objectively better.

I’ve spoken to owners who genuinely prefer the cleaner look because nothing distracts from the hands and hour markers. Others won’t even consider the MDV-107 because, to them, it no longer looks like the Duro they’ve known for years.

The interesting part is that removing the logo doesn’t change how the watch performs.

It changes how people feel about it.

That’s something specifications can never measure.

Design and Wrist Presence

From across the room, you’d struggle to tell these watches apart.

The bezel is the same.

The case shape is the same.

The oversized hands, bold hour markers and classic dive-watch proportions all carry over from one model to the other.

The Duro has never been a small watch, and neither version tries to hide it.

With a 44.2 mm case and fairly long lugs, it naturally suits medium and larger wrists. People with smaller wrists can still wear it comfortably, but it has a noticeable presence that feels closer to a traditional dive watch than to a compact everyday sports watch.

The absence of the Marlin changes the personality more than the design itself.

Some people immediately notice it.

Others don’t notice it until someone points it out.

Build Quality and Durability

The Duro has built its reputation by offering features that usually belong on more expensive dive watches.

A stainless steel case.

A screw-down crown.

A screw-down case back.

A rotating bezel.

And genuine 200 m water resistance.

Finding another watch with that combination at this price isn’t easy.

Of course, there are compromises. The mineral crystal isn’t as scratch-resistant as sapphire, the bezel action isn’t luxury-grade and the resin strap feels fairly basic.

None of those things come as a surprise.

In fact, they’re probably part of the reason the Duro has earned such a strong reputation for value.

If owners change one thing, it’s almost always the strap.

A quality rubber strap, NATO or stainless steel bracelet transforms the feel of the watch far more than choosing between the MDV-106 and the MDV-107 ever will.

Water Resistance

If water resistance is your priority, you can stop comparing right here.

Both watches are built the same way and both are rated for 200 m (660 ft) of water resistance. They use a screw-down crown and a screw-down case back, giving you much more confidence around water than most inexpensive Casio models.

Whether you’re swimming laps, spending the day at the beach or wearing the watch on vacation, neither model has an advantage.

Compared with classic Casios like the A168, F-91W or A700, the Duro is in a completely different league. Those watches handle rain and occasional splashes just fine, but the Duro is built for regular time in the water.

One thing that often gets overlooked is maintenance. A watch that has been opened for a battery replacement without replacing the gasket – or one with a damaged crown seal – won’t necessarily offer the same protection it did when it was new.

Movement and Accuracy

Casio didn’t try to reinvent anything here.

Both watches use a dependable quartz movement powered by a single SR626SW battery, and that’s one of the biggest reasons the Duro has such a loyal following.

There’s no winding, no power reserve to worry about and no need to wear it every day. Set the time, put it on your wrist and forget about it.

Mechanical dive watches have their own appeal, but that’s not what the Duro is trying to be.

This is the kind of watch you can leave in a drawer for a week, pick up on Saturday morning and trust without giving it a second thought.

Strap Options and Modding

Ask Duro owners what they upgraded first and you’ll hear the same answer surprisingly often.

“The strap.”

The original resin strap isn’t uncomfortable, but it’s probably the least memorable part of the watch.

That’s one reason the Duro has become such a popular platform for modifications.

A simple strap swap can completely change its personality.

Neither model has an advantage here.

If the MDV-107 saves you enough money to buy a quality bracelet or rubber strap, you’ll probably notice that upgrade every day. The difference between the two watches themselves is much harder to notice.

What Enthusiasts Usually Say

Spend ten minutes reading Duro discussions on Reddit or watch forums and a pattern starts to emerge.

Most enthusiasts still recommend the MDV-106.

Not because it’s more accurate.

Not because it’s built better.

Simply because it’s the version that made the Casio Duro famous.

That’s really what this comparison comes down to.

Collectors usually choose the MDV-106.

Practical buyers are often perfectly happy with the MDV-107.

Price and Availability

Which version makes more sense often depends on where you’re shopping.

In some countries, the MDV-106 is still easy to buy.

Elsewhere, the MDV-107 has largely replaced it, making the older model harder to find and sometimes more expensive.

Personally, I’d pay a little extra for the MDV-106.

If the price gap starts getting large, though, I’d rather put that money toward another watch or a better bracelet.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Casio MDV-106 if:

Buy the Casio MDV-107 if:

My Recommendation

If I were buying another Duro today, I’d still choose the MDV-106.

Every time I see the Marlin on the dial, I’m reminded why this watch became such a cult favorite in the first place. It’s a tiny design detail, but after years of seeing Duros on wrists, in reviews and across watch communities, it no longer feels optional.

That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the MDV-107.

Once it’s on your wrist, both watches feel remarkably similar. The same dependable quartz movement, the same rugged case and the same reassuring 200 m water resistance are still there.

The MDV-106 wins because of emotion.

The MDV-107 wins because it asks a simple question:

Is that emotion worth paying extra for?

For some buyers, absolutely.

For others, probably not.

Better Alternatives to Consider

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

What’s interesting about the MDV-106 vs. MDV-107 debate is how little it has to do with specifications.

Casio barely changed the watch.

The movement stayed the same.

The case stayed the same.

The water resistance stayed the same.

Add the Marlin to the dial and enthusiasts immediately have a favorite.

Remove it, and suddenly the conversation becomes much more practical.

If the Marlin is part of what makes the Duro special to you, the MDV-106 is still the one I’d recommend.

If it isn’t, the MDV-107 delivers virtually the same experience while often being easier to find and sometimes costing less.

That might be the best example of why people buy watches with both their head and their heart.

On paper, these two Duros are almost identical.

In the watch community, they somehow don’t feel that way at all.