A few months ago, Echo/Neutra evolved one of its most recognizable collections with the arrival of the Averau Ceramic. A 42 mm watch with a rather radical approach: matte black ceramic, an internal titanium structure, and a decidedly more technical aesthetic than the Averau 39 we knew until then.
The Italian brand is back today with a new release that might seem quite simple on paper, but which makes a big difference once the watch is on the wrist: a Sand dial.
This new color is simultaneously available on both versions of the Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic: the 3H three-hand and the automatic chronograph. Two watches that retain this specific black architecture, but with a much warmer hue that transforms their personality.
And if you are discovering Echo/Neutra through these new Averau models, it might be the right moment to take a broader look at this brand, which we particularly appreciate at PAUSE Montres and have been selling since the beginning.
Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic Sand: a new color, two watches
No mechanical revolution this time. Echo/Neutra did not seek to completely rework its Averau Ceramic just a few months after its release. The brand focused on one element: the dial.
And that's enough. On the first Averau Ceramic models, black dominated almost the entire watch. Case, dial, and strap formed a very monochromatic, almost stealthy, ensemble.
On the new Echo/Neutra Averau Sand, the recipe is reversed. The ceramic remains black and matte, but it now frames a much warmer dial, in a sand beige tone that the brand itself describes as warm and discreet.
We still find the very contemporary character of the Averau Ceramic, but with a much more pronounced contrast.
It's less radical. And, to our taste, probably easier to wear.
But what is the Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic?
To understand these two new models, we need to quickly review the watch from which they originate.
The Averau collection has been with Echo/Neutra from the start and is now one of the pillars of the brand's catalog. It includes the Averau 39 three-hand models and the highly recognizable Averau 39 Moon Phase "Big Moon".
The Averau Ceramic offers a rather different interpretation: the diameter increases to 42 mm and the watch notably adopts a matte black ceramic case, combined with an internal architecture called TiFrameโข made of Grade 2 titanium.
It is therefore a more imposing and much sportier Averau.
Where an Averau 39 Big Moon can easily lean towards a dressier style, the Ceramic more overtly embraces its technical side.
And it's not just a matter of color.
Black ceramic, but not just for aesthetics
Ceramic has become relatively common in modern watchmaking, but it retains particularly interesting properties for a watch intended for regular wear.
It is lightweight, highly scratch-resistant, and retains its appearance over time. Echo/Neutra also highlights its hypoallergenic qualities and its thermal stability, which contributes to the comfort of the watch on the wrist.
But there is also, of course, an aesthetic reason. On the Averau, the matte finish absorbs much more light than a polished steel case. The lines of the watch thus appear sharper and the black becomes particularly deep.
This is precisely where the new Sand dial becomes interesting. It breaks up this dark mass without questioning the design of the watch.
TiFrameโข: what lies behind the ceramic
This is probably one of the most interesting details of the Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic, and yet it is not immediately visible.
Beneath the ceramic is a structure developed by Echo/Neutra and named TiFrameโข.
Made of Grade 2 titanium, it reinforces the case construction, particularly at the lugs, an area that is highly stressed as it connects to the strap.
The idea is quite clever. Echo/Neutra takes advantage of the aesthetic and physical benefits of ceramic while integrating a metal structure where the watch needs it.
Above all, this helps to understand why we refer to the Averau Ceramic as a genuinely new construction and not simply a classic Averau whose case material has changed.
Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic 3H Sand: probably our favorite
Of the two new Averau Sand models, the 3H is undoubtedly the one that best showcases this new color.
The reason is quite obvious: its dial breathes more. Three hands, very legible indexes, and ultimately quite few elements disrupt this large sand surface surrounded by black.
The watch measures 42 mm in diameter with a thickness of only 10.5 mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 51.5 mm. It features a sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown, and offers 100 meters of water resistance.
Inside, we find a well-known Swiss movement: the Sellita SW200-1 automatic with Elaborรฉ finish.
The overall package therefore remains quite simple. And that's precisely what works. This version lets the Averau's unique construction and new dial do the talking, without trying to add anything extra.
Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic Chrono Sand: same idea, different character
The second new model uses the exact same combination of black ceramic and a sand dial, but the interpretation is quite different.
The Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic Chrono Sand is obviously more substantial: the case retains its 42 mm diameter but increases to 14.6 mm in thickness. The 51.5 mm lug-to-lug length remains the same, as do the domed sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, and 100-meter water resistance.
The main difference lies in the movement. Echo/Neutra uses an automatic Sellita SW510B-1 with Elaborรฉ finish here, a 27-jewel Swiss chronograph caliber offering 56 hours of power reserve.
Visually, the complication fills the dial more and naturally gives the watch a sportier personality.
The Sand is still very present, but here it becomes the background on which all the chronograph's instrumentation is organized.
Two interpretations of the same idea, then.
Averau Ceramic 3H or Chronograph: which to choose?
This is probably the question that will most often arise between the two.
And, ultimately, we don't think the answer is solely a matter of complication.
The Averau Ceramic 3H Sand is the most refined. With its 10.5 mm thickness and much more open dial, it will also be the most discreet for everyday wear. It is also the one we would choose if the goal is truly to enjoy this new shade.
The Sand Chronograph is a different beast entirely. Thicker, more mechanically visual, and equipped with an automatic chronograph caliber, it has more presence. The dial is necessarily busier, but that's precisely what gives it its very instrumental character.
The prices also reflect this difference: Echo/Neutra currently positions the 3H at โฌ970, compared to โฌ1,970 for the Chronograph.
So, there isn't really a "better" version.
Just two quite different ways to wear the same Averau Ceramic.
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Averau: a collection that has become essential at Echo/Neutra
If these new Averau Ceramic Sand watches are introducing you to Echo/Neutra, it's worth knowing that the Averau family is now much broader.
The Averau 39 3H models offer the simplest access to the collection, with their 39 mm diameter and various dials. It is one of the most accessible Swiss automatic movement watches on the market.
Alongside these, the Averau 39 Moon Phase models offer a much more unique approach to the moon phase complication, particularly with the "Big Moon" versions, featuring a realistic, embossed moon.
And now, the Averau Ceramic models occupy the most contemporary and technical segment of the range.
This ultimately creates a range that is quite easy to understand, where each model has a genuine reason for existing.
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Echo/Neutra: an Italian brand to watch closely
This is also an opportunity to talk a bit more broadly about Echo/Neutra, because the brand is obviously not limited to the Averau.
Its catalog is currently structured around four main collections: 1956, Averau, Rivanera, and Cristallo.
And they are quite different from each other.
The 1956 draws more from the aesthetic of 1950s and 1960s watches, with three-hand, chronograph, and GMT models.
The Averau adopts a more contemporary approach, particularly with its moon phases and now its ceramic models.
The Cristallo explores the world of diving.
And then there's the Rivanera, probably the brand's most immediately recognizable watch: a very thin rectangular dress watch combining Grade 5 titanium and Art Deco influences.
It was precisely this diversity that initially drew us to Echo/Neutra.
The collections don't feel like mere variations of each other. Each has a rather identifiable universe.
And the brand seems to prefer evolving them gradually rather than releasing a multitude of models without true coherence.
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Why did we choose Echo/Neutra at PAUSE Montres?
Echo/Neutra is one of the brands we particularly enjoy showcasing in store because they sometimes require a few minutes of explanation.
The name isn't yet known to everyone. But when you place a Rivanera, an Averau Big Moon, or now an Averau Ceramic on the table, the discussion starts quite quickly.
This is exactly the type of brand we look for at PAUSE: watches with a strong enough identity that they don't need their logo to be recognized.
There's also a certain consistency in how Echo/Neutra develops its products.
The Italian brand designs watches with a lot of personality while relying on proven Swiss mechanical movements, particularly from Sellita. The new Averau Ceramic models are a good example of this.
Where to buy an Echo/Neutra watch in France?
You can find Echo/Neutra at PAUSE Montres, both on our online store and in our physical store in Toulouse.
We offer several collections from the brand and can help you compare an Averau with a Rivanera, a 1956, or a Cristallo depending on the type of watch you are looking for.
For these new Echo/Neutra Averau Ceramic Sand models, we especially advise you to look at both versions before choosing.
The 3H and the Chronograph share a lot on paper, but give quite a different impression once worn.
And if you order online, our team remains available to advise you before purchase, provide more information on a model, or help you choose between several references.
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