Hands on Review: Casio Duro MDV-107 Starbucks
In this article, I am sharing the hands on review of Casio Enticer MDV-107D-3AVDF, also known as the Casio Duro Starbucks (or Kermit). This new watch from the Enticer collection is a decedent of the popular MDV-106 model, also known as Duro Marlin.
Introduction
Casio MDV-107 is a latest addition to Duro 200 series. It is an evolution of the iconic MDV-106 model.
Introduced in 2011, MDV-106 is a best-selling budget diver from Casio, the Japanese company renowned worldwide for their electronic music instruments, calculators and the mighty G-Shock watches. This extremely popular water-sports watch is also known as Casio Duro Marlin as it spotlights an illustration of the fast-moving fish on the dial.
It seems that Casio discontinued the production of MDV-106 and subsequently introduced MDV-107 to the Duro line. Although maintaining the similar aesthetic and functional features of MDV-106, the new variant comes without the emblematic Marlin symbol on the dial.
Presently available with a black dial, MDV-107 comes with four bezel-color options: black, Pepsi (blue with red), Batman (black with blue) and green. This timepiece is available with a stainless steel bracelet or a black synthetic resin wristband.
The company has also released the MDV-10 Baby Duro, a smaller timepiece based on the MDV-107 design but with only 50m water-resistance. Please discover the review of Casio MDV-10 Pepsi model.
Casio Enticer Duro MDV-107 Starbucks/Kermit
The example chosen for the review is Casio Enticer MDV-107D-3AVEF. It features a green and black color theme inspired by the Rolex Starbucks and Kermit models from the Submariner family.
Although both of Submariner models share the same colour theme (black dial and green bezel-insert), connoisseurs have named the reference 16610LV after Kermit, and the reference 126610LV after Starbucks. Equipped with Calibre 3135, the former comes with an aluminium bezel-insert whereas the later features the new-generation Calibre 3235 and a ceramic bezel-insert.
Due to its similarity with the above mentioned Submariner references, the Casio MDV-107D-3AVEF is known as Duro Kermit or Starbucks.
The Casio MDV-107 Duro has a solid stainless steel case, unidirectional bezel with green bezel-insert and black dial. The crown, bezel and case-back are also made of steel. The model featured in this review comes with a stainless steel bracelet. The bezel-insert is colored aluminium and the front glass is mineral crystal.
The top and back sides of the case feature brushed finish where as its sides are polished. Facets are smooth and refined.
The Casio Enticer MDV-107 has a case diameter of 44mm, lug to lug width of 49.5mm and thickness of 12.25mm (including glass). The lug/strap width is 22mm.
The solid yet smooth stainless steel bracelet features three-links design and a folding clasp with push-buttons for closing and opening.
With the stainless steel bracelet, this timepiece weighs about 144 g. The version with a synthetic resin band has a total weight of 92 g.
Water-resistance of MDV-107 is the same as the Duro Marlin diver: 20 ATM or 200m according to ISO 22810. It can be utilized for sailing, skin diving and other water-sports activities. It is not an ISO 6425 certified diver, and therefore not recommended for saturation and professional diving.
MDV-107 is equipped with an 120-click, unidirectional rotatable diving bezel with an aluminium insert featuring white graduations (digits and markers) for calculating elapsed time.
The 0 to 15 scale is highlighted with minute markings just like regular diving watches. The triangular marker representing 0/60 has a luminescent pip; where as other markings are non-luminescent. The coin-edged bezel design offers good grip enabling the user to rotate it easily.
Flanked by two crown-protectors, the date and time-setting crown positioned at 3 o’ clock is screw-down type. The sharply machined grooves make it easy to operate. Along with front mineral glass and screw-in stainless steel case-back, the crown ensures optimum water-resistance.
Devoid of the marlin illustration, the black dial of MDV-107 appears more minimalistic and clutter-free. The text WR 200 above 6 o’clock is still there, certifying the water-resistance of the watch.
The watch offers quick reading of the time thanks to well-proportioned hands and hour-markers.
Made of steel, the arrow-shaped hour-hand and sword-shaped minute-hand employ luminous paint. The dual-color (steel and red) centre seconds hand also features lume on its arrow-shaped pointer. The hour-markers also employ luminescent paint.
The luminescent coating used in this timepiece is Neobrite, which glows green in the absence of light, ensuring good time readability in the darkness. The lume of MDV-107 offers excellent glow initially but it fades quickly.
A small window at 3 o’clock indicates the date. The black and white color theme of date window enhances the clarity of the date display. Surrounding the dial is a black flange with white markers, providing accurate tracking of minutes.
Inside each MDV-107 beats a Casio 2784 (Miyota 2115) quartz caliber. As per the inscription on the case-back, the movement is made in Japan and cased in China. Its battery comes with a life of approximately three years.
Casio Duro MDV-107 Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
MDV-107 is a pocket-friendly interpretation of classic dive watch design fused with modern features. The watch comes with solidly built exteriors and clean dial. The built quality of steel bracelet is very good and offers premium look. The water-resistance rating of 200m makes it suitable for various aquatic activities. It is also great for lovers of big-size watches.
Cons
The Casio MDV-107 Starbucks is not a full-fledged diving timepiece as it doesn’t have ISO 6425 certification. Its large dimensions may disappoint enthusiasts who love dive watches with more traditional proportions.
In terms of dial visibility, this model has two negative points. First of all, the date display window is too small and poorly designed, making it difficult to read. Finally, the glow of luminescent paint applied on the hands and markers fades quickly.
Casio Duro MDV-107 Starbucks Price
Costing approximately $95, Duro MDV-107 is ideal for budget-conscious Casio watch enthusiasts. As I mentioned earlier, this is not a true diver watch. And if you are looking for a real diving watch from Casio, the brand is offering ISO certified G-Shock Frogman divers that usually sell in the price range of $500 – $7,000.
Technical details
Model: Casio Duro MDV-107D-3AVEF
Case
Stainless steel case
Stainless steel unidirectional rotating bezel with green aluminum insert
Mineral Glass
Screw-in stainless steel case-back
Water resistance: 200 meters/ 20 atm (according to ISO 22810)
Dial
Black dial
Hands and indexes with luminescent coating
Date window at 3 o’clock
Movement
Casio 2784 quartz caliber
Accuracy: ±20 seconds per month
Functions
3 hands (hour, minute, second)
Date display at 3 o’clock
Battery life
3 years on SR626SW
Bracelet
Stainless Steel bracelet with folding clasp
Weight
144 g (with steel bracelet)
Other versions
- MDV-107D-1A1V: Black dial, stainless steel case and bracelet, black bezel-insert.
- MDV-107-1A1VEF: Black dial, stainless steel case, black bezel-insert, black synthetic resin band.
- MDV-107D-1A2V: Black dial, stainless steel case and bracelet, bi-color (black and blue) bezel-insert.
- MDV-107-1A2VEF: Black dial, stainless steel case, bi-color (black and blue) bezel-insert, black synthetic resin band.
- MDV-107D-1A3V: Black dial, stainless steel case and bracelet, bi-color (blue and red) bezel-insert.
- MDV-107-1A3VEF: Black dial, stainless steel case, bi-color (blue and red) bezel-insert, black synthetic resin band.
