Hands-On With The Surprisingly Impressive Echo/Neutra Rivanera
It’s time for a confession: dress watches are generally not for me. This is due to my predominantly casual everyday style and a lack of formal events in my life for which a dress watch would be most appropriate. But that doesn’t say anything about my passionate love for the genre. Dress watches show a versatility in design that I greatly adore. And as Oscar Wilde said so strikingly, “I can resist everything except temptation.” The brilliant Echo/Neutra Rivanera heavily tested my resistance this past week. Am I ready to give in? It’s time to find out.
Is it any surprise that it is an Italian brand that flaunts its elegant style to tempt the ever-so-rational part of my brain? I can’t say it is. We all know that Italians have a knack for making nearly anything look stylish. But maybe it wasn’t too obvious that it would be Echo/Neutra that would surprise us with one of the most remarkable dress watches of the year. The brand’s Rivanera is one of the many new and surprisingly stylish dress watches in 2024, from the breathtaking new Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse to the strikingly odd Audemars Piguet [Re]Master Selfwinding and the impressive Toledano & Chan B/1. And those are just a few of the many great releases.
The story of the Echo/Neutra Rivanera
We have also seen a massive increase in the popularity of vintage dress watches, often with extravagant case shapes and fancy dials. Whether modern dress watches led to this or vice versa, new releases profit from the momentum created in the industry.
But there is more to it than riding a wave of popularity. That does not give the new Rivanera the credit it deserves. This new Echo/Neutra model was developed over two years and represents more than a classic dress watch.
Echo/Neutra was on a quest to create a watch that combines the elegance of a dress watch with the modern properties of a titanium sports watch. In exploring the opportunities, the brand created something distinct. Is this the future of dress watches? The Rivanera most certainly pushes the boundaries of dress watches without straying from the essence of what makes them attractive. That makes this so much more than just one of the many new offerings in this genre.
The case is a wonderful display of design thinking
Let’s discuss some details to help convey the Rivanera’s essence. The watch has a rectangular Grade 5 titanium case that is 27mm wide, 40mm long, and only 5.9mm thick. Yes, you read that correctly. The case is 5.5mm thick without the beautifully chamfered sapphire glass and 5.9mm with it. The 40mm length and 20mm lug spacing make this a modern-sized dress watch that will fit wrists of various sizes perfectly.
But getting the proportions right is only one part of the equation. The titanium Tank-like case gets a fine-grain sandblasted finish contrasted by beautifully polished edges, making it a captivating visual spectacle that I kept admiring again and again.
The mirror-polished chamfers are truly spectacular alongside the rough yet refined texture of the matte sandblasted finish. As the watches made it from desk to desk in the Fratello office, that was the first thing that stood out immediately to all the team members. The stark contrast in finishes worked miracles for the overall appeal.
Two beautiful Art Deco-inspired dials
The modern case is paired with either a light gray or matte black dial. The choice of monochromatic dials also perfectly fits the modern aesthetic. Having said that, the dial design features beautiful Art Deco influences that complement the angular case perfectly. In theory, this blending of styles might seem odd, but the dial and case styles are a perfect visual fit.
Both dials feature applied black indices that reflect the light, adding visual attraction. On the black dial, these indices sit within an elegant white minute track. At 6 o’clock is a recessed sub-seconds register with white printing and concentric graining for some texture and contrast. The glossy gray hands perfectly complement the overall style, making for a beautifully stylish black dress watch.
The result is more than the sum of its parts
The gray-dial version is slightly different for obvious reasons. Its black hour markers sit within a black minute track, and the sub-seconds register also features black printing and concentric graining in the center for extra detail. Additionally, the hands are darker and have a matte finish. It’s the simple idea that black already contrasts with the lighter background, whereas the glossy finish of the different elements contrasts with the black dial on the other model.
To me, this shows that the guys at Echo/Neutra considered every detail to bring the concept of the two watches to life. It truly is a masterclass in design thinking that led to great results. These two versions are perfectly executed modern evolutions of classic dress watches.
The super slim movement inside
Inside the titanium case of both watches, you will find the manual-winding ETA/Peseux 7001 caliber. This ultra-thin movement is only 2.5mm thick and visible through the sapphire window of the titanium case back. It operates at 21,600vph, has 17 jewels, and offers 42 hours of power reserve. The Geneva stripes and blued screws add some visual attraction that makes the caliber a joy to see. I also love how the case back is minimalist in its design but tells the story of the 30m-water-resistant titanium watch and its movement.
The Echo/Neutra Rivanera comes with two different 20mm straps to finish the look. The first is a black Horween shell cordovan strap with a branded Grade 5 titanium buckle. The second is a black Alpine calf leather strap with the same titanium buckle.
Each strap gives the watches a different character. I prefer the textured look and feel of the calfskin strap, but both are premium leather and a joy to wrap around the wrist. The choice of these two types of leather is another example of Echo/Neutra’s great eye for detail.
Wearing the two Echo/Neutra Rivanera models
So, how does all this transfer to the wrist? In one word, brilliantly! Once on the wrist, these watches become even easier to admire. First, the dimensions are perfect for wrists of various sizes. On top of that, the looks of both versions make it possible to wear them even with more casual attire.
The case’s sandblasted finish, the modern size, and the contemporary overall presence make this a duo of stylish watches that you could easily wear every day or get out of the drawer if the occasion calls for it. This versatility is brilliant and creates a broad overall appeal.
The angular case also sits wonderfully on the wrist. Coming in at just 21 grams without the strap and 30 grams with it, the Rivanera is incredibly light. The two premium straps add to the overall comfort as well. We often see sub-par leather straps on affordable watches, but the two straps that come with the watch are genuinely great, both in presence and comfort.
The visual attraction of these watches also becomes more apparent on the wrist. I deliberately stayed away from the word “stealthy” until now, simply because these watches aren’t. There are too many stunning little details that will constantly draw your attention. From the textured case to its polished chamfers and the faceted indices, both Rivanera models are nothing short of impressive.
Final thoughts on the Echo/Neutra Rivanera
As I mentioned in the intro, 2024 is turning out to be a year full of surprising dress watches. The Echo/Neutra Rivanera is right up there with the best of them. I have nothing bad to say about the two versions. The only worry I could think of is how the case might handle scratches and what it would take to potentially get rid of them. But other than that, these two Rivanera models are simply brilliant. To be honest, I was surprised to see a pair of watches like these from Echo/Neutra. The brand caught my eye with its nicely designed vintage-inspired sports watches.
In particular, the Light Peach version of the Cortina 1956 “Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti” stood out to me immediately. But that was an exercise in colors. This new Rivanera is a completely different story. It’s the brand’s first take on a classic dress watch, and the team nailed it. I adore how the Rivanera combines classic, dressy looks with a modern-day execution. The materials, the proportions, and the finishing prove how a dress watch can be so much more than traditional ones we all think of immediately.
Then, I realized that the Rivanera is available for €1,490 (including 21% VAT), and it was hard not to be completely in awe of what Echo/Neutra came up with. To me, there is simply no better dress watch out there at this price point. It is the cherry on top of what I would call the perfect modern evolution of a dress watch. Now I just only have to figure out which version is better for me because I want one!
What are your thoughts on the new Echo/Neutra Rivanera? Let us know in the comments section below.
