Casio Marlin Dive Watch (MDV106-1AV): A Stainless Steel Bargain for Divers and Fisherman!

If you are the nautical-type--a diver, a fisherman, a surfer, or someone who likes the beach--you appreciate the look of a dive watch on your wrist.  From Jacques Cousteau to the local fisherman, nearly everyone associated with the sea has a dive watch or two.

Atlantic Blue Marlin

Unfortunately, the high dollar dive watches from Rolex tend to send messages to the populace like - I have money, overcharge me, rip me off, or mug me.  If you want an alternative that fits in everywhere you go, check out this quartz analog dive watch from Casio.  It's technically called the MDV106-1AV.  It's a catchy little moniker someone in marketing must have dreamed up.  Since it has a picture of a Marlin on it, I'll just call it the Casio Marlin Dive Watch.

Casio Marlin Dive Watch (MDV106-1AV)

The Casio Marlin Dive Watch isn't  a big clunker.  It has a 44 millimeter diameter case that is 12 millimeters thick.  The slim watch will fit under a shirt sleeve in the hot sun and it will be less likely to snag on a cleat, railing, or fishing pole.  It has 200 meters of water resistance and a rotating bezel that only rotates in one direction.  The case is stainless steel and the strap is resin.  In short, it looks like a dive watch should and it functions like a dive watch should.  Plus, it's priced right.  You can see the Walmart price in the picture below.  But, Amazon can have it shipped right to your house for the price below:
 
If you are looking for an affordable, durable, timepiece to accompany you on your aquatic adventures, this Casio Marlin is the one to get.  Catch this low key Casio Marlin and get back to fishing.

Striped Blue Marlin - photo by Kate Crandell (originally posted to Flickr as IMG_1958) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Wristwatch Review - Men's Sperry Top-Sider Skipper Analog Watch

It's time to review the watch I've been wearing the most this year.  It's my Sperry Top-sider Skipper watch.  I like this watch because it has an interesting dial design and a wonderfully comfortable strap.  This men's watch is a great casual accessory for a night out on the town or just down to the local pizza joint.

Sperry Top-Sider Wristwatch

Sperry Skipper Watch Design

This watch made is in accordance with nautical visions of the same folks who make Sperry Top-Sider shoes.  The dial evokes the compass rose and perhaps--looking at the hour batons--the wheel of a tall ship.  The dial is especially interesting because it has a traditional date window--or porthole in this case--at 3 o'clock and a panoramic view of the exposed date card in the 7 to 10 o'clock positions.  You'll also notice the 24-hour time is shown on the inner circle of the dial.  It's a very cool look.  Unfortunately, those of us who are middle aged and above may find it difficult to read the date and other small markings on this somewhat busy dial.

Sperry Top-Sider Skipper Watch

While some of the descriptions on Amazon claim that the strap is calfskin, this watch most definitely has a silicone strap.  However, it is comfortable and well-made.  I really like the white stitching on the outer edges of the strap.  It adds to the watches nautical motif.  There is a small silhouette of a sail boat on the buckle for the strap.  It's a nice detail for a watch at this price point.

The Sperry Top-Sider has a Small Sperry Sail Boat Logo on the Buckle

Sperry Skipper Watch Proportions

The Sperry Skipper is a well-proportioned watch.  The case is 42 millimeters in diameter and a solid 12 millimeters thick.  It's quite simply not too big or too small.  I find that it stays easily centered on my wrist without trying to escape to one side or the other.  The watch strap is 22 millimeters wide and as you can see just fits my wrist.  I measured the strap as being 13/16 of an inch wide.  The strap length including the watch and excluding the buckle was 9 1/4 inches long.

Sperry Skipper Watch Construction

The Sperry Skipper watch is a well built watch.  It has a stainless steel case and caseback which provides 50 meters (165 feet) of water resistance.  The pliable silicone strap is waterproof and comfortable.  The dial is protected by a scratch resistant mineral crystals.  While this watch may not make it 20,000 leagues under the sea, it will certainly be fine for a typical boater.

Sperry Skipper Watch Recommendation

 Overall, I highly recommend the Sperry Topsider Skipper watch.  I wish that the markings and date portal were a tad larger, but the watch has a distinctive design that really sets it apart from many competitors in it's price range.