Everyday Diver: Casio Duro Watch
Joshua Wussow 11.02.17
At just below $45, the Casio Duro Diver is one of the best budget-minded, outdoor-friendly watches on the market. While it may lack some features found in high-end wilderness wearables, it makes up for it with rugged construction and a reputation for duro-bility. (See? It’s right there in the name!)
The Competition
“Wait,” you say, “Didn’t you just review a Casio?” Why, yes, thanks for remembering. However, there are several differences between the Tough Solar and the Duro. Besides the $10 price increase, there’s the case material, feature set, illumination, and accuracy to consider.
The Features
Let’s start with the chassis. Unlike the Solar, the Duro features an all-stainless-steel case. This, combined with its screw-down crown, pushes the watch’s water resistance up to 200 meters. That’s double the rating received by its plastic cousin. This inspires a bit of additional confidence while performing outdoor chores. I can whack this thing up against a rock or tree without worrying much about the case. It also wears slightly larger than its contemporary, with a cleaner, more legible face.
While the Duro may lack the Solar’s alarms, digital timer, and stopwatch, it does have a fully functional diving bezel. This steel ring rotates around the dial, allowing you to time events in a more traditional way. Its 120-click action is uni-directional, a must for folks who actually intend to use this as an underwater watch. This has to do with tracking the amount of air left in your tank. The last thing you’d want to do is bump the bezel in the wrong direction, throwing off your calculations.
The most popular complaint with the Duro lies in its lume. In place of the Solar’s electronic light, Casio has painted the hands and indices with a light-absorbing compound. This will glow in the dark for a period of time, allowing you to read the watch in dim conditions. Unfortunately, this particular application isn’t very bright. I was able to read it in the total darkness of my tent, but not in the more muddled night of civilization.
Let’s hit another positive. When it comes to accuracy, the Duro outdoes the Solar. It gains perhaps one second per week, while the Plastic Fantastic steps four seconds ahead. It’s also much easier to set, thanks to the traditional crown setup.
The Strap
One similarity between these two watches can be seen in their bands. The stock Duro comes with a perfectly adequate rubber strap, somewhat reminiscent of that on the Solar. It’s a bit tougher, given the use of metal in its buckle hardware. Still, I opted to outfit it with a trimmed NATO strap. This lends an extra bit of security and class to the watch. While it is possible to switch bands on the Solar, it doesn’t really work with the plastic aesthetic.
The Conclusion
If you’re looking for a solid, dependable watch for less than $50, it’s hard to do better than these two. But, for my money, the Duro is the better long-term option. It’s rugged nature and muscular look will keep it in my collection for years to come.
For a more in-depth look at the Duro, you can check out this Youtube review. Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, head over to Amazon and pick one up. I’m glad I did.
