It’s time to confess. Dress watches are generally not for me. This is because my daily style is mainly casual and I lack formal events in my life where a dress watch would be most appropriate. But that says nothing about my passionate love for this genre. Dress watches show versatility in design, which I really respect. And, as Oscar Wilde memorably said, “I can resist everything but temptation.” The wonderful Echo/Nutra Rivera severely tested my tolerance last week. Are you ready to give in? It’s time to find out.
Is it any surprise that it’s an Italian brand that flaunts an elegant style that seduces the ever-rational part of my brain? Not really. We all know that Italians have a knack for making almost anything look stylish. But perhaps it wasn’t so obvious that it would be the Echo/Neutra that would surprise us with one of the most notable dress watches of the year. The brand’s Rivanera range includes the stunning new Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, the astonishingly bizarre Audemars Piguet (Re)Master Selfwinding, and the impressive Toledano & Chan B/1, all of which will arrive in 2024. One of many stylish new dress watches. These are just a few of the many great releases.
Echo/The story of Neutra Rivera
There has also been a significant increase in the popularity of vintage dress watches with extravagant case shapes and flashy dials. Whether modern dress watches led to this or vice versa, new releases are benefiting from the momentum created in the industry.
But it’s not just about riding the wave of popularity. That doesn’t give the new Ribanera the recognition it deserves. This new Echo/Neutra model was developed over two years and represents more than just a classic dress watch.
Echo/Neutra aimed to create a timepiece that combined the elegance of a dress watch with the modern characteristics of a titanium sports watch. In exploring opportunities, the brand created something unique. Is this the future of dress watches? Ribanera definitely pushes the boundaries of dress watches without straying from the essence of what makes them so appealing. As such, this is more than just one of the many new offerings in the genre.
The case is a great expression of design thinking
Let’s discuss some details to convey the essence of Ribanera. The watch features a rectangular grade 5 titanium case measuring 27 mm wide, 40 mm long, and just 5.9 mm thick. Yes, you read that correctly. The case is 5.5mm thick without the beautifully beveled sapphire crystal and 5.9mm with it. With a length of 40mm and lug spacing of 20mm, this modern sized dress watch fits perfectly on wrists of various sizes.
But getting the proportions right is only part of the equation. The tank-like titanium case has a finely grained sandblasted finish that contrasts with beautifully polished edges, making it a mesmerizing visual sight that I keep coming back to.
The mirror-polished chamfers are truly stunning, along with the rough yet sophisticated texture of the matte sandblasted finish. As the clock moved from desk to desk in the Fratello office, it was immediately noticeable to all team members. The striking contrast of the finishes did wonders for the overall appeal.
Two beautiful art deco dials
The modern case is combined with a light gray or matte black dial. The choice of a monochrome dial also fits perfectly into modern aesthetics. That said, the dial design has a beautiful Art Deco influence and perfectly complements the angular case. In theory, this style combination may seem strange, but the dial and case styles are a perfect visual fit.
Both dials feature reflective black hour markers that add visual appeal. On the black dial, these indexes are placed within an elegant white minute track. At 6 o’clock, there is a recessed sub-seconds register with white printing and concentric graining for texture and contrast. The shiny gray hands perfectly complement the overall style, making this a beautiful and stylish black dress watch.
The result is greater than the sum of its parts
The gray dial version is slightly different for obvious reasons. The black hour markers are set within a black minute track, while the sub-seconds register also features black printing and a central concentric grain for added detail. Additionally, the hands are darker and have a matte finish. It’s a simple idea: the black contrasts with the already light background, while the glossy finish of the various elements contrasts with the black dial of other models.
To me, this shows that the guys at Echo/Neutra considered every detail to bring the two watch concepts to life. This is truly a masterclass in design thinking with great results. These two versions are the perfect modern evolution of the classic dress watch.
Ultra slim movement inside
Inside the titanium case of both watches is the hand-wound ETA/Peseux 7001 caliber. This ultra-thin movement is just 2.5 mm thick and is visible through a sapphire window in the titanium caseback. Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, it features 17 jewels and offers a 42-hour power reserve. The Geneva stripes and blue screws add visual interest and make the caliber a pleasure to look at. I also like how the caseback design is minimalistic yet tells the story of the 30 meter water-resistant titanium watch and its movement.
The Echo/Neutra Rivanera comes with two different 20mm straps to complete the look. The first is a black Horween Shell Cordovan strap with the brand’s Grade 5 titanium buckle. The second is a black alpine calf leather strap with the same titanium buckle.
Each strap gives your watch a different personality. I prefer the textured look and feel of calfskin straps, but both are premium leathers and are fun to wear around your wrist. These two leather choices are another example of Echo/Neutra’s great eye for detail.
Wearing two models of Echo/Neutra Rivanera
So how does all this get to your wrist? In one word: Awesome! These watches become even easier to appreciate once you wear them. First, the dimensions are perfect for wrists of different sizes. Plus, both versions have looks that can be worn with casual outfits.
The sandblasted finish on the case, modern size, and contemporary overall presence make this stylish watch easy to wear every day, or even pull out of the drawer when needed. This versatility is great and creates a wide range of overall appeal.
The angular case also fits perfectly on your wrist. The Rivanera is incredibly light, weighing just 21 grams without the strap and 30 grams with the strap. Two premium straps also enhance overall comfort. Substandard leather straps are common on budget watches, but the two straps that come with the watch are really nice in both presence and comfort.
The visual appeal of these watches becomes even more pronounced when worn on the wrist. I’ve intentionally avoided the word “stealth” so far. Because this watch isn’t. There are so many amazing details that always grab your attention. From the textured case to the polished bevels and faceted indexes, both Ribanera models are nothing short of impressive.
Final thoughts on Echo/Neutra Rivanera
As mentioned at the beginning, 2024 is likely to be a year in which many amazing dress watches will appear. Echo/Neutra Rivanera is just the best of it. I can’t say anything bad about the two versions. The only concern I can think of is how the case will handle the scratches and what it will take to remove them. But other than that, these two Rivanera models are just amazing. To be honest, I was surprised that Echo/Neutra released a watch like this. This brand caught my eye with its lovely designs of vintage-inspired sports watches.
In particular, the light peach version of the Cortina 1956 “Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti” immediately caught my eye. But it was a color exercise. This new Ribanera is a completely different story. This is the brand’s first classic dress watch, and the team has nailed it. I love how Rivanera combines classic, dressy looks with modern touches. The materials, proportions, and finishes prove that dress watches can be much more than the traditional timepieces we immediately think of.
Then I realized that the Rivanera was available for purchase for 1,490 euros (including 21% VAT) and I couldn’t help but be completely in awe of Echo/Neutra’s product. For me, there is no better dress watch in this price range. This is the culmination of what I would call the perfect modern evolution of the dress watch. Now all you have to do is decide which version is better for you since you want the versions.
What do you think about the new Echo/Nutra Rivanera? Let us know in the comments section below.
