Casio Pepsi Duro Challenge

Stock Duro in back, modified Duros up front

As I watch enthusiast, I tell everyone about my love for watches. My current favorite watch is a Casio MDV106B-2AV blue bezel and blue dial Duro, sometimes affectionately called a Bluro. I got mine for $40 and added a Strapcode jubilee bracelet. I love it! I love the Duro so much that I got at least one of each of the six current variants.

Casio MDV106B-1A2V Pepsi for $11 from Walmart

So when I heard Walmart was selling the Duro for only $11 on clearance, I went to try my luck. I told as many of my friends about the deal as possible. One of my friends was going out of state on a road trip. I asked him if he stopped at a Walmart along the way to look at watches for me. He did, and he found me two Casio MDV106B-1A2V blue and red bezel with black dial sometimes called the Pepsi. He also found one of my favorite watch, the Casio MDV106B-2AV all blue Duro. He bought all three for me at $11 ea.

When I got them, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to take the blue dial, chapter ring, and movement out of the blue Duro and put it into the Pepsi. I had a Pepsi that I put a Strapcode O Boyer bracelet on and I knew a blue dial would look awesome in it.

Casio Duro movement up close

So, I opened it up and tried to remove the stem. It seemed so easy to do when you watch people do it on YouTube. I struggled to see what I needed to see, without magnification. I used my phone camera zoomed and could see it. Then moved the phone and I could no longer see. I didn't have enough hands to hold everything. Then through some trial and error and lip biting, I was able to remove the stem. I opened up the other one and it was just as difficult. More challenging than I expected based on the the videos I had seen. Once I had them both free, I quickly made the swap. Then I reinstalled everything in reverse order and flipped it over to see my creation. It was stunning. The blue dial with Pepsi bezel should be a stock option from Casio. It looks perfect. I already loved the blue dial. The red, white and blue combo looks great to me. Surrounded by brushed stainless steel with polished accents. It just looks right!

Custom blue dial with blue and red bezel Duro on a stainless steel bracelet

I flipped over the watch made from the left overs. Black dial and blue bezel which I have now learned is affectionately called a "Cookie Monster", and it also looks great. The only thing I would change on it, is the seconds hand. I would use a blue one from a Batman or a polished one from a blue Duro.

Having grown up with Sesame Street, I always loved the Cookie Monster. When I heard that is what the black dial with blue bezel is called, I laughed so hard. I am like the Cookie Monster but with watches. I see watches I like, and something inside me screams "Me want watches!"

Custom black dial with blue bezel on stock strap.

I really like all the versions of the Duro and my two simple custom watches are no different. In fact, I think the blue dialed Pepsi on a bracelet is closing on the number 2 spot in my collection. It is my second favorite Duro for sure. It is in a three way tie with my Seiko Presage SRPB41J1 Cocktail Time Blue Moon and my JDM Seiko Spirit SBTR021 Chronograph on a Strapcode bracelet for second place. Both of which were a whole lot more than $11. The Duro is a great watch at $50-$75. Under $50 it is a bargain. Under $30 it is a steal!

I decided to do a strap change on one of the other Pepsi Duros I have. I went with a red perlon from Wrist Candy Watch Club. I showed it to a fellow veteran friend of mine and he said it is perfect for RED Fridays, to Remember Everyone Deployed. I think that is a great idea. Expect to see it in my rotation on Fridays, along with the custom blue dial with blue and RED bezel.

Casio MDV106B-1A2V Pepsi with a red perlon strap

I can't say enough good things about the Casio Duro. With six different variants, there is something for everyone. I think they are a great watch and worth every bit of the MSRP. They often sell for less and then they are a great deal. If you see them on clearance, buy them all. The amount of quality and accuracy you get with a Duro is unmatched at the price. They make a great start or addition to any collection.

Here is a few more pictures just for fun:

Miyota movement that powers the Duro with quartz accuracy!

Blurry Duros

Getting ready for a strap change

Wrist shot of Pepsi Duro on Strapcode bracelet

Wrist shot of my favorite desk diver the blue Duro on Strapcode Jubilee bracelet

Clearance Duros in the wild