Echo/Neutra has been carving out the small corners of the watch world since 2018. The brand’s founders Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia blend the sensibilities of Italian design with Swiss-made runs, with the catalogue steadily growing from vintage-inspired field watches to elegant titanium dress pieces. However, the new Averau 42 is a completely different beast. It’s modern, technical and leaning towards materials that aren’t often found in this price range.
There are two versions of the Averau 42. One is a three-hand automatic and the other is an automatic chronograph. Both use ceramic as the outer case material reinforced by an internal titanium structure, what the brand calls TIFRAME. The idea is to maintain scratch resistance and a sophisticated matte look while reducing the well-known brittleness of ceramics. Here, it is important to note that I already own an Echo/Neutra Cristallo diver. This is another solid and reliable tool watch that proves that the brand is already permeating this realm. The Averau 42 feels like a natural extension of that idea with a more experimental edge.
A new twist in ceramic
Ceramics have a strange place in watchmaking. On the one hand, it is virtually scratch proof and remains crisp and clean after years of wear. On the other hand, it is fragile and can spell disasters with nasty knocks in the wrong place. The Echo/Neutra solution is Tiframe, a grade 2 titanium skeleton that holds movements, dials and other critical components. It even stretches to lugs, a common weakness in ceramic cases.
In fact, Tiframes don’t make the watch feel dramatically lighter than other ceramic or titanium watches. There is nothing on the wrist that is immediately obvious as you will notice that it is titanium inside. However, structural logic is sound. It gives you a little reassurance of the resistance and finish of the ceramic scratch. Of course, the watch isn’t magically invincible, but it’s a slight reduction in total catastrophic failure.
Both versions of the Averau 42 are 42mm diameter, 51.5mm lug-to-lag, 100m water resistance ratings. The movement of the Sapphire Crystal, Super Luminova BGW 9 Room, Cerata keeps the specifications in solid area.
Chronographs that feel like they have a purpose
The automatic chronograph uses the Sellita SW510BElaboré. This is a movement with 56 hours of power reserve with vibrations of 28,800 per hour. Echo/Neutra built it into a 14.6mm thick case on the slimmer side for an automatic chrono with these specifications.
What stands out most is the execution of the dial. Despite the lot of text and details, it remains easy to read. The suppressed use of small numbers and applied markers means avoiding feeling crowded. The only applied index is 12. This adds subtle highlighting without overly complicated the appearance.
There is one detail worth clarifying. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters, but do not use the chronograph function underwater. The pusher may look like a screw-in unit, but it’s not. They are regular pump pushers dressed up with designs that suggest that they are not, so treat accordingly.
On the wrist, the chronograph feels like a proper tool watch. There is a lot of information on the exhibit, but it’s not overwhelming. The combination of readability, matte ceramic case and sturdy proportions make it sharp and easy to use every day. For $1,970, it’s a competitive package for anyone looking for a young indie brand ceramic chronograph.
Three lattices with a strong presence
A simpler three-hand automatic uses the Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré. With a 10.5mm profile, this version is slimmer, making it wearable for everyday use despite the same 42mm case diameter. It also offers at $970 US$ and half the price of a chronograph, making it an accessible way to get into this ceramic and titanium hybrid structure.
That said, the 42mm case feels big here, especially with a time-only piece, with a large dial aperture. The three of them wear the martial arts “looking” and slightly larger, without the sub-dial breaking things. Some may love the added presence, but for my taste, it is on the big side. Your mileage may vary. It also makes sense to offer something a little larger as a counterpoint in the collection, as Echo/Neutra has many small clocks in these three areas.
Design-wise, there are some nice touches. Cardinal markers 3, 6, 9, and 12 are applied to add depth and contrast. Part of me thinks that echo/neutra could have extended that approach to all 12 indexes. I also like the small printed secondary logo at 6 o’clock. It reminds me of the pig (torpedo) motif from the old ceramic Panerai model. It’s a clever nod to details that doesn’t overwhelm the dial.
Modern tool watch design
The Echo/Neutra often blends vintage and modern elements, while the Averau 42 is flowing firmly. It’s a tool-oriented watch, but it still features the brand’s clean Italian design DNA. Compared to the vintage-infused 1956 line, this collection is looking forward to it rather than a retreat. It is sharp, sporty and designed to live together.
Both models come with titanium casebacks, featuring deep engraved mountains. I like this more than see-through back which otherwise exhibits a craftsmanlike celta movement. The mountains feel more in line with the adventurous, outdoor-friendly character of the clock.
A meaningful move
The SW510B and SW200-1 are not exotic calibers, but they are well-proven. They provide reliable and easy service. This makes sense for tool watches. The Echo/Neutra choice to combine them with ceramic cases at these price ranges is where it appeals.
For under USD 2,000 on the chronograph and under USD 1,000 on three henders, it gives a solid Swiss movement within ceramic titanium cases from young indie brands. It’s not a common combination. Even bigger brands rarely offer ceramics at this price, and when they do, it usually lies in a safer, non-technical design. Echo/Neutra takes the risks calculated here and is rewarded.
Thank you to Averau 42
The Averau 42 aims at enthusiasts who love tools and want something from the beaten path. If you’ve always liked ceramic ideas but never wanted to pay the premium brand price, this could be a gateway. Tiframes feel more fragile than standard ceramic pieces, even when differences are less noticeable on the wrist.
It is also for collectors who appreciate thoughtful designs. Chronographs in particular balance between busy details and strong readability. This is not an easy feat. The three-person lattice offers the same technology in a more minimalist package, despite having a larger wrist proportion.
My last words
Between the two, I choose the chronograph. The balance of functionality, design and percentage works better for me. But both models are handsome, quite priced and a smart next step in echo/neutra. The Averau 42 shows that brands can experiment with materials, but can remain true to the roots of their designs.
These are not flashy watches and are not trying to do so. They are practical and well-executed tool watches that introduce ceramics in the way that some indie brands have tried. In the case of echo/neutra, it reinforces the brand’s position as a young and reliable player on the field. It will be interesting to see if the Averau 42 is being received the same way after its success at Ribanella last year.
Please let us know what you think about this release in the comments below!
