- Casio Dive Watch Band
- Casio Dive Watch Gold Face
- Casio Dive Watch Battery Replacement
- Casio Divers Watch 200m
Are you a “desk diver” who love the style of diving pieces, but in no need of a heavy-duty tool watch? Hey, if you are seeking for a diver-style wristwatch just for everyday wear, take a look at the Casio MDV106-1A. This is a very nice-looking budget desk-diver’s watch, it’s one of the bestsellers in many online stores now. Following is my Casio Duro Marlin MDV106-1A Dive Watch Review, hope this will be of some help to you!
G-SHOCK shock resistant military and tactical watches with outstanding water resistant features. Some models count with Bluetooth connected technology and atomic timekeeping. Casio Men's Diver Inspired Stainless Steel Quartz Resin Strap, Black, 25.6 Casual Watch (Model: MDV-106G-1AVCF) 4.7 out of 5 stars 394 $52.85 $ 52. 85 $79.95 $79.95.
- Quality
- Design
- Price
- You should treat the Casio MDV106-1A as a mere waterproof watch for men despite its diver’s piece appearance. In case you don’t like the matte black dial, the watch also has a white-face cousin, the MDV106-1AV.
- Reliable quartz movement
- Solid finishing
- Simple but nice-looking design
- Affordable price (less than $50)
- Questionable water resistance rating
- Extremely weak lume
- Cheap rubber (or plastic?) band
Contents
Design – Simple but nice looking
The watch’s design cannot be more simplex, you won’t find any creative details on the case. However, in designing, sometimes less is more. Everything on the watch is well matched to each other, making for an eye-catching finish.
Despite its elegant looking, MDV106 is not designed for small-wrist men. Don’t be fooled by the pictures, this timepiece is indeed sized at 44mm.
Casio is famous for their affordable but well – constructed watches, the MDV106 is not an exception. The case has a steel construction with no rough edges, making the watch look much more expensive than its actual price.
The mineral glass is mirror-polished, it doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating on the underside like Invicta watches. Without this coating, the crystal can be a little hard to read in outdoor use, but it’s not a huge deal, because the stark white hour marks & hands contrast very well with the black dial to provide a superior legibility, moreover, the watch face is also not too deep to read from various angles.
The shiny borders of the hands add some more flares to the already-polished dial, making the whole watch reflect light in a very attractive way.
The red-tipped second hand and the marlin logo are the only two focuses of interest on the MDV106’s roomy dial. The date aperture is quite small, I think the face would look more proportionate with a long rectangular window instead of a tiny square.
In the price range of less than $50, the Casio MDV106’s bezel can be considered rather good , it’s extremely easy to turn with little effort. This is really a big plus since many other dive watches that cost 2 times of the MDV106’s price still feature a very stiff bezel,. However, this effort of Casio makes little practical sense as the MDV106 is not built for true scuba diving. However, a smooth bezel partly shows Casios’s admirable quality-commitment.
Casio Dive Watch Band
The keystone-shaped luminous pip on the bezel is among the decisive factors that make the watch look sportier and sturdier, because a triangular one would make the watch look more elegant.
Casio Dive Watch Gold Face
The 22mm ribbed strap is one more shortcoming you should expect from the low-price MDV106. It feels more like artificial plastic rather than natural rubber.
The good news is that the watch look much better on a stainless steel bracelet or a textile NATO/Zulu strap, even a black leather band can also be well matched to the case. This is the value of simplicity! If the MDV106 has a more complicated design, how can you easily transform its externals just by changing the watchband like that?
Reliable Japanese quartz movement with a long-lasting battery
Casio will never let you down with their movements. Ticking inside the MDV106 is a dependable basic quartz caliber which only runs off by about 20 seconds/ month. It’s worth mentioning that you shouldn’t put your watch in powerful magnetic fields (near electric appliances) as the influence of magnetism will cause the accuracy to suffer. According to Casio, this dive watch features the SR626 battery that can provide power up to 3 years, not bad at all!
On-paper 200m water resistance rating & a pathetic lume
As mentioned above, the Casio MDV106 is not built for true scuba diving, it’s just a mere waterproof watch for men with diver’s style, similar to the Invicta quartz pro divers. You can only be sure that your timepiece was tested against dive watches’ standards if it gets an ISO 6425 certification from the producer, certainly this is impossible for such a cheap timekeeper like the MDV106!
Don’t mistake me, I didn’t mean that dive watches which are not ISO-certified don’t deserve your trust, the problem here is that you have to test them on your own as they get no warranty from the producing company, they’ve never claimed their products to be “true” diving pieces, they marked these watches as “Water resistance” on their dial, not “Diver’s”.
As for the Casio MDV106, you can’t expect it to go on a scuba dive with you, snorkeling is okay. You can only rest assured that this watch has a stronger water resistance than ordinary dress watches, as it features a guarded screw-down crown & a screw-lock case back.
Casio Dive Watch Battery Replacement
Since the watch is not designed for using in deep water, its weak lume is forgivable. The luminous dots lose charge extremely quickly after a few minutes. The aglimmer light from the watch cannot make a good readability in the dark. Casio pardonably has to cut corners in their production to focus on customers’ primal demand. It’s the reliable movement & solid case finish, not the lume.
Verdict
You should treat the Casio MDV106-1A as a mere waterproof watch for men despite its diver’s piece appearance. In case you don’t like the matte black dial, the watch also has a white-face cousin, the MDV106-1AV.
At its price point, the watch is a good deal for desk-divers who don’t actually need a true dive watch. You can use it for everyday-wear as a beater watch, or bring it along to your sporting activities, except for scuba diving.
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Casio Divers Watch 200m
If you are an active scuba diver, you know that bringing technology under the water can be dangerous. However, companies like Casio are trying to beat out the pressure water places on devices by offering new technologies that can be brought into the deep – such as waterproof watches.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the best Casio dive watches by breaking them down into specific categories for every type of diver.
A Quick Look at the Casio Brand
Casio is a Japanese company founded in 1946 that is well known for their manufacturing of consumer electronic devices. Their line of products includes watches, mobile phones, calculators, projectors, digital cameras, and more.
Casio was one of the earliest manufacturers of quartz watches, which delivers a very precise frequency that keeps the watch extremely accurate. A pioneer in the watch industry, Casio was an early adapter of many advanced watch features such as multiple time zone, temperature, and GPS displays.
Today, Casio is best known for their wide range of durable, high-quality digital and analog watches – including models specifically designed for underwater divers. They offer a variety of different dive watches with unique features that will suit any kind of diver.
Casio continues to act as an innovator in the watch industry, as they recently released a new line of water resistant smart watches for the everyday active user.
Casio Dive Watch Buying Guide
Below are some of the things that anyone who wants to take their watch underwater with them should look for.
This guide will help you weed out the watches that are too fragile to follow you into the depths from the one’s that will help you have an optimum and safe dive.
- Maximum Depth – All Casio dive watches are suitable for shallow underwater activities such as swimming and snorkeling, but there are only a few of the models can dive down deep. Many of the cheaper models aren’t suitable for snorkeling, and will likely malfunction if brought below 50 meters.
- Shock Resistance – A good dive watch should have adequate shock resistance, especially if it is being used for deep water adventuring. Not only will shock resistance help the watch withstand the pressure, it also keeps it safe in case you accidently bump it against something in the dark water.
- Watch Band –The band is what keeps the watch securely to your wrist, andshould feel comfortable at all times. Most Casio dive watches are made with a resin band, which is a flexible plastic material that is well known for its durability. Casio watches can be easily adjusted using the interlocking buckle.
- Type of Watch – Analog watches are the most basic kind of watch, and are often much more durable under heavy pressure. However, they often lack many of the features of digital clocks, such as alarms and calendars. Digital clocks are typically easier to read, especially when paired with LED backlighting.
- Battery Type – There are three basic types of batteries found in Casio dive watches: solar, rechargeable, and disposable. The type of battery will dictate how long the watch will run before needing to be changed or recharged.
- Timekeeping Capabilities – All Casio dive watches are made with a quartz-regulated electronic oscillator, which provides extremely accurate timekeeping. However, not all models offer additional timekeeping capabilities such as a stopwatch or alarm setting.
- Special Features – Some of the more advanced Casio dive watches have new technology innovations such as GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and altimeter/barometer sensors. These features can make diving easier, and can give you peace of mind while under the water.
Casio Dive Watch Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Casio dive watches water resistant and not waterproof?
These days, it takes a lot for a product to be labeled as completely waterproof, which means it is completely impervious to water. While many Casio dive watches can withstand the high pressures of the water, it is nearly impossible to create a completely waterproof dive watch.
Can I re-seal a Casio dive watch if water gets in?
Even though Casio dive watches are water resistant, there is still a chance that the seal can break and let water in. If your Casio dive watch breaks, there is a possibility that you can reseal the watch to restore it to its original water resistant state. You can either bring the watch into a specialist, or send it in to an authorized Casio support center.
How do I replace the battery on a Casio dive watch?
Should your Casio watch battery die, you can easily replace the battery on your own. Simply remove the watch back by loosening the screws, and gently pull the dead battery out with a pair of tweezers. Full battery replacement instructions will be included in your Casio dive watch instruction manual. We recommend that you wear protective gloves when changing the battery to prevent any transfer of oil to the delicate watch parts.
Can I clean a Casio dive watch?
There is a simple way to clean your Casio dive watch using items that can be found around the house. You can start by running the Casio watch under lukewarm water with a mild soap, drying it off with a soft towel. To clean the watch face, a toothbrush or Q-tip into some warm, soapy water before gently brushing it along the watch face. Never scrub or press down hard.
Our Top Picks for Best Casio Dive Watches
Image from Casio
The Casio RANGEMAN watch is a solar powered digital wristwatch that is built to withstand even the toughest conditions. It has a shock resistant triple sensor system, which can provide the user with altitude, pressure, temperature, and compass directions. It has four circular buttons that allow you to control the watch, and an LED backlight that automatically lights up in the dark so you can use it at night or in deep water.
The Casio RANGEMAN dive watch has an impressive depth resistance of up to 200 meters, or a little over 650 feet deep. This makes it extremely suitable for deep-sea adventures, as most scuba divers only go about half that distance down when diving. The strap is made of a durable resin that fits securely around the wrist so you won’t have to worry about it slipping off.
Time automatically calibrates on the RANGEMAN with an auto receive function up to six times a day. You can also program it to manually receive the latest signal reception results. The RANGEMAN has a total of 31 time zones, and a sunrise/sunset time display.
2. Best Budget Casio Dive Watch: Casio Sport Analog Dive Watch
Image from Casio
The Casio Sport Analog Dive Watch has a classic dive watch look with all of the basic features you need to keep time under the water. It has a large 44.6mm face with a bright analog display for easy timekeeping. It can withstand depths of up to 100 meters, or just over 325 feet.
It has a bi-directional rotating bezel, which allows you to easily adjust the time. This analog watch has a three-hand design, and also displays the date and day of the week. The numbers on the face of the clock are large, with the hour reading on the inner ring and the minute/second reading on the outer ring. This makes it easy to tell the time at-a-glance.
There are no special features on the Casio Sport Analog Dive Watch, as it was designed as an inexpensive way to tell the time while under the water. It does come at a variety of color options, making it an attractive accessory for the diver on a budget.
3. Best Every Day Casio Dive Watch: G-Shock G100-1BV Black Resin Sport Watch
Image from Casio
The G-Shock line by Casio is well known to be some of the most durable watches on the market, making them a great accessory for an active diver. The G-Shock G100-1BV is an analog clock that is shock resistant, water resistant, and magnetic resistant, so it can handle just about anything you throw at it. It has a disposable battery system, with an approximate battery life of 3 years.
The G-Shock G100-1BV can withstand depths of up to 200 meters, making it one of the best watches for deep-sea divers. It has an EL Backlight with Afterglow, so you’ll be able to see everything even if you’re exploring down in dark sea caves. This model offers additional features such as dual time display, daily alarm, auto calendar, and a 1/100 second stopwatch.
4. Best Casio Dive Watch for Fashionable Divers: Casio LRW-200H-2BVCF Stainless Steel Dive Watch
Image from Casio
This value timepiece was designed with ladies in mind, but any diver who wants to add a pop of color to their wrist will love the 9 color options on the LRW-200H-2BVCF.
This watch has a 39 mm stainless steel case, with a mineral dial window that helps keep the watch shock resistant. It features a quartz analog three-hand display, which can easily be adjusted using the bi-directional rotating bezel.
The Casio LRW-200H-2BVCF is able to withstand a depth of about 330, making it suitable for swimming or snorkeling. It is not advised for use in scuba diving, as the pressure will likely damage the delicate timekeeping elements.
5. Best Casio Dive Watch for Children: F108WH Water Resistant Digital Watch
Image from Casio
While it is not recommended to take children deep-sea diving, there are still plenty of underwater activities for children to take part of.
The F108WH Water Resistant Digital Watch has a square digital face with LED lighting that makes it easy too read the time. It is water resistant up to 50 meters, or a total of 165 feet. This should be more than enough for a fun day snorkeling at the beach with the family.
The F108WH Water Resistant Digital Watch has a few added benefits that you and your children are likely to find useful. This includes features such as a daily alarm setting, 1/100 second stop watch, automatic calendar, measuring modes, and more. The battery is said to last up to seven years, so it’s more likely that your child will grow out of the watch before it dies.
6. Best Smart Casio Dive Watch: Casio Pro Trek Outdoor GPS Sports Watch
Image from Casio
New technologies have paved the way for innovative consumer electronics, and Casio is constantly striving to keep up with the trends. Their newest line of watch products is the Casio Pro Trek series, which combines the classic watch look with modern improvements. The Casio Pro Trek Outdoor GPS Sports Watch connects to Andriod Wear 2.0 or Wear OS by Google, which gives you access to a variety of unique features.
The Casio Pro Trek has multiple sensors, which allow it to give readings on air pressure, altitude, acceleration, and more. You can navigate through the watches application and tools using the three buttons on the right side of the watch. You can download smart watch apps through the Google Play Store, and even send messages through your smartphone from your watch.
While the Casio Pro Trek is water resistant, we wouldn’t quite call it a dive watch. The Pro Trek series of watches are able to withstand the water pressure only up to 50 meters, so it’s not recommended that you take them during deep sea diving. However, these watches can easily withstand the water during short swimming and snorkeling sessions, making them a great accessory for any water lover.
Final Thoughts on Casio Dive Watches
Casio is a company that strives to create the best consumer electronics, and has been at the head of the wristwatch industry since releasing some of the first quartz watches.
Casio offers a variety of different water-resistant watches, so there is something for just about everyone who enjoys taking a dive. We are excited to see what new innovations they will have in the years to come.