Ramblings of a Desk Diver: A week with the Duro (almost)
The joy of a new purchase can be short-lived, sometimes lasting only for the trip home from the AD or if you are really unlucky just enough time for you to put the cardboard Amazon packaging in the recycling box. So for someone as budget conscious as myself (helps to keep at least this obsession off of the family finances radar) buying a Duro whilst living in the UK means paying above the odds for something you've never had on wrist before. But I do accept that for some of you I imagine it can be viewed an inexpensive tool watch, easy to replace if damaged...I'm looking at you America with your sub-$40 sale prices I see so often mentioned!
With all that swirling around my head about a week ago I 'bravely' took delivery of my first ever Duro sporting the 'Batman' bezel insert. It proudly took centre stage for my first ever WC post and went straight on wrist. My first thoughts weren't ideal 'oh dear, look how big it is in real life, what have I done'. Wanting to give it a chance I convinced myself that having been rotating out an A168 and F91-W for years at work it was simply just a case of needing an adjustment period.
New watch joy kept my spirits up initially and I enjoyed looking at it but after two days at the desk I was beginning to find it's weight and size a bit awkward and dare I say it approaching uncomfortable. A new strap! This fool needs to get a new strap! I hear you guys, so arriving soon are two of China's finest perlon's (one black, one blue). Perhaps they will help.
But in the meantime although I love how this watch looks, it's a cult classic and can at times be found for fantastic prices I don't think I can find a daily place for it on my wrist. I persisted for almost another 2 days but sadly fell back to the comfort and familiarity of my A168 before the 4th day was out.
As I said I still love how this watch looks so I won't be retiring the Duro altogether but it's likely already been relegated to the occasional weekend outing...unless those perlon's are magical...
Collector of all watches...but on a Casio budget
Not every Casio will be your favorite. I know, harsh words to hear and feel wrong to be said. I love Casio. I've spoken almost too much about Casio during my time on this site. That being said, there are plenty of cult classics that just may not suit for fancy after some time has passed. The honeymoon is over, sorry the Duro didn't endure, my friend. Hopefully those bands really do possess the ability to make it more comfortable. To be honest I felt the same way about my g9000 mudman. The shape was goofy to me and that isn't always a bad thing. The pushers were obnoxiously red and stood out too much from the rest of the watch. Now I look at it with much more love because the bull bar really made a difference. Better yet, juvenile as it may seem, it looks like a frog and K love that lol. Or as I shared yesterday it looks like a tiny robot from a childhood movie.
Either way, I'm sure the Duro will be just fine hanging out in your watch box until you feel like it is time to where again.
Not every Casio will be your favorite. I know, harsh words to hear and feel wrong to be said. I love Casio. I've spoken almost too much about Casio during my time on this site. That being said, there are plenty of cult classics that just may not suit for fancy after some time has passed. The honeymoon is over, sorry the Duro didn't endure, my friend. Hopefully those bands really do possess the ability to make it more comfortable. To be honest I felt the same way about my g9000 mudman. The shape was goofy to me and that isn't always a bad thing. The pushers were obnoxiously red and stood out too much from the rest of the watch. Now I look at it with much more love because the bull bar really made a difference. Better yet, juvenile as it may seem, it looks like a frog and K love that lol. Or as I shared yesterday it looks like a tiny robot from a childhood movie.
Either way, I'm sure the Duro will be just fine hanging out in your watch box until you feel like it is time to where again.
Thanks for the kind words, I'll post an update if the straps bring it back into my good books! I really enjoyed seeing your mudman yesterday, your comparison to those robots made me 😂
Thanks for the kind words, I'll post an update if the straps bring it back into my good books! I really enjoyed seeing your mudman yesterday, your comparison to those robots made me 😂
Glad someone enjoyed lol
Perhaps the years of switching back and forth between your super lightweight, small, and digital screen Casio watches gets you going back to what feels familiar? It also seems you prefer the feather-like presence of digital watches on your wrist. So, it's quite understandable you were not so keen on the heavy and bulky wrist presence of the Duro.
But, I admire the fact that you were willing to go outside of your comfort zone and try out the Duro. It might be good then, if you check out some of Casio's lightweight and smaller cased Edifice watches such as the EFR-S108D (38mm) and the EFV-110D (35mm). Both are WR100, have a sporty design, will look handsome on your wrist, and will fit your daily work outfit well. Check out the Ben's Watch Club reviews of both watches on YT. 👍
Perhaps the years of switching back and forth between your super lightweight, small, and digital screen Casio watches gets you going back to what feels familiar? It also seems you prefer the feather-like presence of digital watches on your wrist. So, it's quite understandable you were not so keen on the heavy and bulky wrist presence of the Duro.
But, I admire the fact that you were willing to go outside of your comfort zone and try out the Duro. It might be good then, if you check out some of Casio's lightweight and smaller cased Edifice watches such as the EFR-S108D (38mm) and the EFV-110D (35mm). Both are WR100, have a sporty design, will look handsome on your wrist, and will fit your daily work outfit well. Check out the Ben's Watch Club reviews of both watches on YT. 👍
You make an excellent point, I hope I haven't ruined larger watches forever! Great shout regarding the Edifice models, significant step up in quality as well from the cheap and cheerful digitals. I do enjoy a good video from BWC I'll check them out 😊👍
You make an excellent point, I hope I haven't ruined larger watches forever! Great shout regarding the Edifice models, significant step up in quality as well from the cheap and cheerful digitals. I do enjoy a good video from BWC I'll check them out 😊👍
To each his own, my friend. Nothing ruined on my end, as I also prefer smaller sized watches for my 6.25-inch wrist. Given this, I've come to a clear conclusion for myself: If ever I get another diver, the case width must not be bigger than 41mm max, and the lug-to-lug length should be 46mm max. That's why for me, the Duro doesn't qualify despite the specs.
Hope you have fun checking out the two Edifice models. BWC makes a good case for both. You can also try Timex as they have a good array of budget no none sense field watches you might like.