Casio MDV106 vs Orient Ray II: Dive Watch Comparison
Rugged Casio reliability or Orient’s polished automatic flair — which budget 200m dive watch gives you real value and which one will surprise you?
Budget divers duke it out! Quick comparison of the Casio MDV106-1A and Orient Ray II, two popular affordable dive watches on Amazon. This guide outlines key differences in specs, movement, durability, and value to help you choose.
A straightforward, no-frills diver that delivers core functionality and durability for very little money. It’s an ideal choice if you want a reliable daily-beater dive watch without spending much.
A compelling entry-level automatic diver offering strong build quality and classic styling that punch above its price. It’s best for those who prefer mechanical movements and want a robust watch with substantial lume and finishing.
Casio MDV106
Build Quality
7.6
Movement / Accuracy
8.6
Water Resistance & Dive Features
8.2
Value / Price
8.8
Orient Ray II
Build Quality
9
Movement / Accuracy
8.2
Water Resistance & Dive Features
8.8
Value / Price
8.8
Casio MDV106
Pros
Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Reliable, accurate Japanese quartz movement
200 m water resistance and unidirectional bezel
Lightweight and comfortable on wrist
Orient Ray II
Pros
In-house Orient automatic movement (F6922) with hand-wind and hacking
Strong lume and well-executed dial finishing
Solid stainless bracelet and upgraded 120-click bezel
Classic dive aesthetics with day-date functionality
Casio MDV106
Cons
Stock resin strap is basic and may be swapped
Lume and finishing not as strong as pricier divers
Orient Ray II
Cons
Automatic accuracy varies more than quartz and may need regulation
Some reports of inconsistent QC (e.g., crown alignment)
Orient F6922 Japanese automatic (hand-wind + hacking)
Accuracy expectations
Typical quartz: very accurate (≈±15–20 s/month)
Typical out-of-the-box mechanical: roughly ±15–25 s/day; improves with regulation
Amazon listing price (approx.)
$65
$200
Warranty
Manufacturer/Amazon warranty link on listing
Manufacturer/Amazon warranty link on listing
ISO certification
No ISO 6425 claim
No ISO 6425 claim
Key notes that affect daily wear or diving
Bezel action: Ray II’s 120-click bezel is a tactile upgrade for timing; MDV106 has a reliable unidirectional bezel but no published click count.
Strap/bracelet: MDV ships on a basic resin strap (easy to swap); Ray II ships on a solid steel bracelet (heavier, more durable).
Movement trade-offs: quartz gives superior accuracy and low maintenance; the automatic offers mechanical character but needs regulation and routine servicing.
Practical diving: Both list 200 m WR and screw-down crowns, but neither advertises formal ISO dive certification.
Design, finishing and wearability: real-world feel
Dial, hands and overall aesthetics
The MDV106 is plainly utilitarian: a matte black dial, simple round luminous markers and a date at 3 o’clock. The Ray II has a more refined dial presentation with applied markers, a day-date window, and brighter, longer-lasting lume that reads cleaner at a glance. The Ray II therefore feels a touch dressier; the MDV106 reads more tool-watch and casual.
MDV106: Large, high-contrast numerals and a clear minute track make timing quick to read. Bezel grip is adequate but not aggressively toothed.
Ray II: 120-click bezel with positive, tactile feedback and finer serrations for a firmer grip; minute markers are crisp and precise.
Crystal clarity and case finishing
Both use mineral glass. The Ray II’s dial finishing and polished center links give it a higher‑end sheen compared with the MDV’s simpler, brushed case surfaces. The Orient’s case edges and brushing feel more refined; the Casio emphasizes durability over polish.
Bracelet, clasp and strap options
MDV106: Ships on a basic 20 mm resin strap with a simple buckle — very light and comfortable, and easy/cheap to swap.
Ray II: Ships on a solid 22 mm stainless bracelet with a double-locking foldover clasp — heavier, more secure, and better for regular wet use.
Lume and crown ergonomics
MDV106: Lume is functional for short-term low-light use but fades faster.
Ray II: Strong, long-lasting lume across indices and hands.Both crowns screw down for 200 m water resistance; the Ray II’s crown is larger and easier to grip for hand-winding and setting, while the MDV106 crown is slimmer but unobtrusive.
Fit and daily comfort
Small wrists: Ray II’s 41 mm case and tapered bracelet sit more proportionately.
Large wrists: MDV106 reads larger at 44 mm but its light resin strap keeps it comfortable.For daily wear and diving, the MDV is lighter and simpler; the Ray II offers a more substantial, secure feel and better finishing.
3
Movement, performance and maintenance
Movement types & accuracy
The MDV106 uses a battery-powered Japanese quartz, which delivers predictable, near‑perfect timekeeping for the price. Expect roughly ±15–30 seconds per month. The Ray II uses Orient’s in‑house caliber F6922 (21,600 bph). Out of the box expect variability in the tens of seconds per day (commonly ±20–30 s/day); a regulated movement will do better.
Quartz (MDV106): battery-powered — typically 2–3 years per battery under normal use. Timekeeping is very stable day-to-day.
Automatic (Ray II): automatic winding with about a 40‑hour power reserve. It offers hand-winding and hacking (seconds hand stops for precise setting).
Service intervals and typical costs
Quartz: battery replacement + gasket change and pressure test every 2–3 years if you dive; cost roughly $25–75. Full quartz overhaul is rare and inexpensive relative to mechanical.
Mechanical: recommended servicing every 4–7 years for regular use, especially after saltwater exposure; full service typically runs $150–$400 depending on shop and region.
Robustness under shock and saltwater
Shock: quartz movements are generally more shock‑resistant and less sensitive to magnetism. Mechanical automatics can be affected by hard impacts and magnetic fields; good regulation can be impacted by shocks.
Saltwater: both watches are rated to 200 m, but seals degrade. Rinse after each swim and pressure-test seals annually if you use them in the ocean.
Long‑term ownership — reliability & repairability
Quartz = low fuss, cheap upkeep, easy battery swaps and common replacement parts. Automatic = higher maintenance and service cost, but offers tactile interaction (winding, rotor), a living mechanism, and better appeal to mechanical enthusiasts who value the movement’s character and the ability to have the watch regulated and adjusted by a watchmaker.
4
Value, pros & cons, and who should buy which watch
Casio MDV106 — value, pros & cons
The MDV106 is a no‑nonsense, low‑cost dive watch that gives a lot for a small price. It’s ideal if you want reliable timekeeping with minimal upkeep.
Pros:
Very affordable (~$65); excellent price-to-performance
Quartz accuracy and low maintenance (battery every 2–3 years)
200 m rating, unidirectional bezel, lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
Basic resin strap and modest finishing
Lume and build refinement trail pricier divers
Lower resale value compared with mechanical watches
Orient Ray II — value, pros & cons
The Ray II targets enthusiasts who want an in‑house automatic that looks and feels more premium without breaking the bank.
Pros:
In‑house F6922 automatic with hand‑wind and hacking
Strong lume, solid SS bracelet, upgraded 120‑click bezel
Better finishing and stronger resale potential than cheap quartz
Cons:
Higher upfront cost (~$200) and periodic servicing (every 4–7 years)
Budget-minded buyer: Choose the Casio MDV106 for lowest total cost, rugged everyday use, and near‑zero maintenance.
Mechanical/heirloom seeker: Choose the Orient Ray II for a mechanical movement you can service, regulate, and pass on.
True tool‑watch diver: Both are rated 200 m, but MDV106 is simpler and more shock/magnet resistant in everyday abuse; Ray II is better if you value a mechanical tool watch and don’t mind servicing.
Resale, accessories & ecosystem
Resale: Ray II typically retains more value than the Casio.
Accessories: MDV106 has abundant strap options (NATO, rubber). Ray II benefits from bracelet swaps and a stronger enthusiast mod community for straps and bracelets.
Final verdict: choose by priorities
Pick the Casio MDV106 if you want a low-cost, low-maintenance, highly reliable quartz diver; it is the clear winner for practical daily and budget-focused buyers.
Choose the Orient Ray II if you prioritize a mechanical movement, richer dial presence, and accept periodic servicing, best for enthusiasts seeking character. Which side are you leaning toward; decide based on priorities.
Size nerd alert: the Ray II wears a tad bigger than its specs suggest because of the lug shape. MDV106 is that classic 90s diver size — comfy on small wrists. If you have big paws, go Ray, otherwise MDV for stealth comfort 😄
Nice tip, Ethan. Lug-to-lug and case profile do change perceived size a lot — always try ’em on if you can.
Sofia Green
on September 6, 2025
Totally. My 6.5in wrist can’t handle thick lugs, so the MDV fits me way better. Ray II looked chunky.
Marcus Lee
on September 6, 2025
Lume comparison? I found MDV’s lume adequate, but Orient’s markers pop more at night. Not a dealbreaker either way, just prefer the Orient in dim light.
Also the MDV’s 200m rating feels reassuring for shower/surf stuff.
Size nerd alert: the Ray II wears a tad bigger than its specs suggest because of the lug shape. MDV106 is that classic 90s diver size — comfy on small wrists. If you have big paws, go Ray, otherwise MDV for stealth comfort 😄
Nice tip, Ethan. Lug-to-lug and case profile do change perceived size a lot — always try ’em on if you can.
Totally. My 6.5in wrist can’t handle thick lugs, so the MDV fits me way better. Ray II looked chunky.
Lume comparison? I found MDV’s lume adequate, but Orient’s markers pop more at night. Not a dealbreaker either way, just prefer the Orient in dim light.
Also the MDV’s 200m rating feels reassuring for shower/surf stuff.