Don’t you love it when a young brand throws a curve ball? Doing what Echo/Neutra has done with the release of the Rivanera is an all too rare attempt at fleshing out a brand narrative by diversifying the product offering. Will this handsome rectangular timepiece ever be the watch or the style of watch for which this Italian brand is best known? No. But neither is the Rolex 1908 the first model family to tumble from the lips of anyone you ask. Still, without that dressier line, the Crown’s standard sports wares wouldn’t seem anywhere as luxurious. Why? Because this kind of move, when executed deftly, adds context and character to the existing watches in the collection.
That said, perhaps the reason it’s so unusual to see a young brand attempt it, is because it’s really easy to screw it up. It is so easy, in fact, the very thought of straying from the tried and tested path is enough to scare the vast majority of young brand owners into inaction. And there’s some justification there: branding is all about staying on message.
As a young brand looking to define its personality, repeatedly reminding folks of what it is you do better than those around you is important. Suddenly pivoting and dropping a dress watch on the back of a successful run of outdoorsy three-handers and retro-flavoured chronographs that know how to take a beating might seem like a very risky move. And yet, thanks to the execution of this idea, it somehow just feels like a flex.
At just 27 mm wide, 40 mm lug to lug, and a truly impressive 5.5 mm thick, this 21g grade 5 titanium watch is a no-holds-barred attempt at creating a dress watch that recalls some of the sportiness of Echo/Neutra’s previous offerings.
In that pursuit, the use of titanium is key. For a watch of this style and these proportions, it is a daring choice. The finely sand blasted surfaces are contrasted beautifully with high polished edges, and a reflective frame around the dial. The polished applied indices tie the whole thing together and nod to a more elegant direction for the brand, while the edgy blasted finish of the case retains some of the bite the brand’s established lifestyle has always exuded.
A circular caseback window reveals the hand-wound, Swiss-made ETA 7001, which is the successor to the Perseux calibre that fans of German brand NOMOS-Glashütte will remember as the forerunner to that brand’s in-house alpha caliber, which is heavily based on the Perseux 7001.If such a movement is good enough for one of the most admired modern-era brands, it certainly has the chops to buoy this release.
It will be interesting to see to whom this watch most appeals. I am sure Echo/Neutra is hopeful it will be a no-brainer buy for the brand’s loyal following while simultaneously opening up the brand to an entirely new audience.
I for one am hopeful the brand will achieve this dual goal. This kind of courage deserves success. And, at just €1,490 (approximately £1,250 at the time of writing), it’s an affordable way to buy into a young maker creating watches with excellent build quality and respected movements to boot.
Echo/Neutra Rivanera Tech Specs
- Titanium Grade 5
- Flat Sapphire
- Thickness 5,5 mm (5,9 w/o glass)
- Lug width 20mm
- Lug-2-lug 40mm
- Movement Swiss ETA 7001
- Open case back with sapphire glass
- Push/pull type Crown
- 30 meters Water resistance
