Featured image: Joshua Clare-Flagg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Casio Duro MDV-106 is a 44 mm stainless steel quartz dive watch rated to 200 meters, and it sells for around $50 to $80 at most retailers. It earned wider fame because Bill Gates has been photographed wearing one, but it stands on its own as one of the best budget divers you can buy.
Quick answerThe Casio Duro (MDV-106) is a very good cheap dive watch. You get a steel case, screw-down crown, 120-click bezel and a quartz movement rated to about plus or minus 20 seconds a month. The trade-offs are scratch-prone mineral glass, modest lume and a stiff stock resin strap.
Where to buy
Compare the same watch on both sites: eBay for pre-owned and vintage pieces, Amazon for new stock.
Casio Duro MDV-106
Prices and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
Why people call it the “Bill Gates watch”
Gates is a billionaire who is regularly seen with an inexpensive Casio on his wrist, and the Duro is the model most associated with him. That contrast made the watch a favorite talking point online. We cover which watches he has actually been linked to in our article on what watch Bill Gates wears. This page is about the watch itself: how it looks, how it wears and who should buy it.
Casio Duro MDV-106 specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Case size | About 44 mm wide, roughly 48.5 mm lug to lug |
| Thickness | About 12 mm |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Crystal | Flat mineral glass, no anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Casio module 2784, Japanese quartz, three hands and date |
| Accuracy | Rated about plus or minus 20 seconds per month |
| Water resistance | 200 meters, screw-down crown and caseback |
| Bezel | 120-click unidirectional |
| Strap | 22 mm black resin, pin buckle |
| Battery life | About 3 years (SR626SW) |
| Approximate price | Around $50 to $80 |
Design and wearing experience
The black sunray dial is clean and legible, with lume-filled markers, a red-tipped seconds hand, a date window at 3 o’clock and the billfish graphic that gave the model its “Marlin” nickname among collectors. The look borrows the classic diver template, so it reads as a dive watch at a glance without copying any one brand.
At roughly 12 mm thick it sits fairly low and slides under a shirt cuff, and at 44 mm wide it will look large on smaller wrists, though the lug-to-lug length of under 50 mm keeps it from overhanging on most people. The 22 mm lug width means strap swaps are easy, and many owners replace the stock resin band with a silicone, rubber or NATO strap within days. At around 90 grams with the strap, it is light enough to forget about on a long day.
Is it a “real” dive watch?
It has the features that matter in practice: a screw-down crown and caseback, 200 meters of water resistance and a unidirectional bezel for timing. It is not ISO 6425 certified, which is the formal standard for dive watches, so treat it as a robust everyday swimming and snorkeling watch rather than a piece of professional dive equipment. If the difference between ratings interests you, our water resistant vs waterproof explainer walks through what the numbers mean.
Duro MDV-106 vs MDV-107
Casio sells a sibling with a very similar layout. The MDV-107 line, which Casio lists with a stainless steel bracelet in some versions, shares the 200-meter rating, mineral glass, three-year battery and plus or minus 20 seconds a month accuracy, but it is a touch larger at about 49.5 mm lug to lug on Casio’s spec sheet.
| MDV-106 | MDV-107 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | 200 m | 200 m |
| Lug to lug | About 48.5 mm | About 49.5 mm |
| Crystal | Mineral glass | Mineral glass |
| Battery | About 3 years | About 3 years |
| Typical band | Resin | Resin or steel bracelet, depending on version |
| Approximate price | $50 to $80 | Often under $100 |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exceptional price for 200 m water resistance and a screw-down crown.
- Quartz accuracy, so no winding or setting every few days.
- Stainless steel case rather than plastic or resin.
- Standard 22 mm lugs open up endless strap options.
Cons
- The mineral crystal scratches more easily than sapphire.
- The bezel is stiff and can be hard to grip, particularly with wet hands.
- Lume is adequate rather than bright.
- The stock resin strap is plain and uncomfortable; most reviewers suggest replacing it.
Best for…
Best for: first-time dive watch buyers, a beach or travel beater, and anyone who wants a dependable everyday watch without worrying about it. It is also a fun conversation starter if you like the Gates connection.
Similar watches at other prices
- Casio Duro MDV-107, often under $100: a close relative, see the table above.
- Orient Kamasu, roughly $200 to $300: a well-regarded 200-meter automatic diver if you want a mechanical movement.
- Seiko 5 Sports diver-style models, roughly $250 to $400: an automatic alternative with more refined details.
For a wider look at the category, see our best dive watches guide. If you like the budget-billionaire theme, Warren Buffett’s watch is another interesting contrast.
For other celebrity-linked picks at this price, see our guide to the best watches under $1,000.
FAQ
Is the Casio Duro MDV-106 waterproof?
No watch is truly waterproof, but the Duro is rated to 200 meters and has a screw-down crown, which is enough for swimming and snorkeling.
How long does the battery last?
Roughly three years on the SR626SW cell, according to published specs and reviews.
Is the Duro a good first dive watch?
Yes. It is inexpensive, accurate, and uses a standard strap size so you can personalize it cheaply.
Does Bill Gates really wear the Casio Duro?
He has been photographed in one on several occasions, including on a late-night talk show, and it is widely reported as his usual watch, though he has not made a public statement listing his watches.
Sources
- IZ Review: Casio MDV106 Duro dive watch review
- HiConsumption: Casio Duro MDV106-1A review
- Casio: MDV-107D-1A1V product page