echo/neutra Averau Ceramic Watch Review

1.5K

echo/neutra Averau Ceramic

The echo/neutra Averau Ceramic is a unique and modern take on a field watch. This new Averau (highest mountain of the Nuvolau Group in the Dolomites) is a 42mm field watch with a matte black ceramic case, but also has a titanium frame to add some strength and rigidity to the ceramic. Ceramic cases are not new, but for a long time were only available on much more expensive and mainstream watches, and now here is a field watch that has a similar look to an IWC Top Gun Pilot, but for a much more affordable price. Inside is a Sellita SW200-1; there are a few strap choices, and its water resistant to 100m. This is quite the package, especially for the price of $1, 180.

Specifications

42MM Ceramic Case

Titanium Case Back and Frame

10.5mm Thick

20mm Lug Width

51.5mm Lug to Lug

82 Grams on Rubber Strap

Screw Down Titanium Crown

100m Water Resistant

Elabore SW200-1 Movement

Domed Sapphire Crystal

Rubber Strap -110mm/75mm

Textile Strap 135mm/70mm

Price $1,180

https://echoneutra.com/products/averau-42-ceramic-3h

Now it does seem I was a bit wrong when I did the above video, as I said this may be the least expensive ceramic watch on the market, or the least expensive automatic ceramic watch, and not a fashion watch. After I published the video, I found a brand named Earthen Co., which makes a 38mm model, the Summit. So technically I guess this is the second least expensive automatic ceramic watch, at least that I could find. I do still feel these two watches are not exactly on the same level, considering the case construction and materials on this echo/neutra Averau Ceramic, but of course everything is subjective.

Now what makes this echo/neutra so unique? Well, most ceramic watches, whether it be a Bell & Ross, an IWC, or others, the case is ceramic, but the case back would be titanium or steel (sometimes an exhibition case back), and the crown is going to be steel or titanium as well, as ceramic is still too brittle to be used for those parts of the watch. Echo/neutra took this one step further and used a titanium frame, the Ti-Frame as they call it, to add strength to the ceramic case. The frame sits inside the ceramic case, surrounding the inner walls, thus holding the movement as well, and then extends down to the lug holes, where, as Echo states on their site, is one of the weakest areas on a ceramic watch.

Now echo/neutra is not the first brand to do this; well, they are not the first to do titanium under ceramic, as brands such as Bell & Ross (not contradicting; it depends on the model) and IWC use a process of ceramizing a titanium core on some of their models, dubbed Ceratanium, while other models use just a ceramic case. But what I do not believe I have seen before is where the frame extends to and inside the lugs, so I think echo/neutra may be the first? Zodiac did do a ceramic watch as well, over a stainless steel frame, with a similar but not exact setup. You can see that review HERE. 

And why do they have to do this at all? Well, ceramic in this application has come a long way in the last 20-30 years and is now usable for more than just a fashion watch that needs to be babied. Now it can be used for everyday watches such as these. Yet, while the titanium will add strength, remember, it is still more brittle than steel or titanium, and even though it is very scratch-resistant, things can still break and scratch.

The ceramic is all matte black on this echo/neutra Averau Ceramic, but as I said, that crown is titanium, and not only is it knurled for easy gripping, but it is also a screw-down crown. Screw-down crowns are nothing new, of course; we all know this, but I have seen a lot of watches recently where they have 100m of water resistance, but the crown does not screw down, even if it is marketed as a sports watch or everyday watch. So now, I appreciate it even more when I see a proper screw-down crown such as this.

The dial is matte black to match the sleek case, and some would call this a busy dial; some may think it’s relatively uncluttered. I think the branding size and font will probably be the most off-putting for some enthusiasts, and is what makes it feel cluttered. If you were to size the branding down, the dial, to me at least, is pretty simple, and the Averau mountain logo can only be seen in certain lighting as it’s all black. The only pop of color is the red tip of the second hand, and while we have applied markers, it’s only the cardinal points; the rest have printed numbers and hash marks, which are not lumed.

The case is pretty thin at 10.5mm; actually, that’s very thin for a watch such as this, and the case is similar in design to many others you have seen before, and other echo/neutra models, with slightly curved lugs and a nice slope to the case. At 42mm and, more importantly, a lug-to-lug of 51.5mm, I know many are concerned about how this watch wears on this wrist.

I won’t get into a debate on sizing here (already kind of did that in the video review), but I will simply say, for me, I love that they did a 42mm. This type of watch or style of watch lends itself to a larger case, and the reality is, I can pull it off with a 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist. I understand not everyone can, and maybve one day echo/neutra will make a smaller size of this model, but they do also produce other smaller models currently, including an Averau in steel at 39mm. For my wrist size, I would say this Averau Ceramic 3H actually feels smaller than the stated specs.

There are three straps that Echo/Neutra offers, and they sent along two of them to me: a webbed or stitched rubber and a textile (nylon strap. I like both, and both have the same titanium buckles and keepers (though they should be black DLC-coated), and looks-wise I do like this thick rubber strap more, but it is pretty short compared to the textile strap. Both straps only add a few grams to the weight, so this is still a very lightweight watch on the wrist. Both straps do have some strap gap at the lugs though- not unsightly, but noticeable.

I do have to mention the movement. It’s a Sellita SW1200-1, Elabore grade, so no issues there, and I had no issues with time or accuracy either, as it stayed around +/-15 seconds a day, but the rotor is on the loud side. You know how you can hear that rotor spin around more with a Miyota 9000 series movement? Well, this is comparable, if not a touch louder, and it’s just due to the titanium and ceramic case construction, as it just does not deaden the noise as much as other case materials.

I have to say, I was very enamored when I first saw this watch on their website, and I was still impressed when it landed for review. The echo/neutra Averau Ceramic has a similar look and vibe to that Top Gun pilot, but I think any watch enthusiast can see they are not trying to copy it one for one, and I love the use of the Tiframe, even if you can’t really see it when it’s being worn, except for that little glimpse inside the lugs.

The real story here, though, is the price. When you look around for something comparable, the Zodiac I linked above would have been the closest, but they are all but out of business at this point, and buying one on a closeout may be a gamble. I think the Bell & Ross watches would probably be closest in price, but the cheapest models are around $3,300. So at $1,180, you get a ceramic and titanium watch that is Swiss-made, but designed in Italy, and that price includes shipping and duties. I think that may be this watch’s biggest selling point. And if you want a lighter dial color, they now have sand color dials, and if you want to shell out some more cash for an extra complication, well, they have an automatic chronograph model as well.

echo/neutra