The brand is Echo/Neutra and it’s pronounced ‘echo noy-tra’. Their new watch designs are inspired by the mountain ranges of Italy………interesting, however the watches themselves are very pleasing. Echo/Neutra’s current catalogue consists of 7 watches; with the latest Kickstarter backed watch the Averau 39 Moon phase coming in 3 variations with 3 dial colour options, (three hands, small seconds and moon phase all in blue, green or black dials). Why a moonphase complication? I have no idea. Maybe a GMT would have been more purposeful, but besides that it looked the nicest of the three for me so I backed it on a black dial in March of 2021.  After a long awaited delivery I think the Averau 39 Moon phase certainly succeeds on many levels.

The basics are ticked off reassuringly, 39mm diameter, 46mm lug to lug and 20mm lug width in standard 316L stainless steel with traditional style brushed and polished finishing that is very good for this price range. Cannot find fault here. But thickness is pronounced at 13.5mm, so beware if opting for the Averau 39 Moon phase, as its slightly unbalanced on wrist and top heavy. The case handles this depth well though and certainly doesn’t look ungainly on my small/medium sized wrist.

A chamfered polished bezel with subtle double domed sapphire crystal finishes the case well. More AR coating though please! Knurled and signed screw down crown is welcome, allowing 100m water resistance but the screw down action isn’t the best, maybe it will ease with use.

The Averau 39 Moon phase caseback has a very nice engraved abstract mountain motive that completes the overall adventurous feel that this watch is trying to convey.

Inside the Averau 39 Moon phase is a Sellita SW280-1 Elabore grade movement with high vibration and okay-ish power reserve. Above all else however, the watch is all about this dial and it without doubt the star attraction but at the same time also the watch’s nemesis.

Excellent printing and minimal clutter on the matt black dial makes reading it a breeze and highlights a bold, highly legible lumed hand set which I just love, with a nod to the Dolomites in the delicate red and white stripped tipped seconds hand. The moonphase indicator showing northern and southern hemisphere phases is inset nicely at 6 but you will need a moonphase calendar to set it correctly (or just a quick google search will do).

A very small pothole date window at 3 is hardly noticeable at first glance so don’t try and read the date in low light. But it is a great resolution for a date window, fitting the watch style perfectly. Due to this dial I think the watch’s identity is a bit puzzling. With numerals that could have been taken from a pilot watch and the bold lumed 12,3,6 and 9 markers giving me dive/sports watch vibes, is it a field watch? It can certainly be used as one, but along with overall size and case finishing decisions, it points at a different identity that I haven’t quite worked out yet.

Aside from that the watch is fantastic and quite unlike anything currently available giving Echo/Neutra a firm if not cohesive stance in the microbrand market place.

The accompanying canvas strap is one of the best I’ve handled, thick and supple incorporating indented logos and more mountain range specific numerals with polished buckles and keepers adding to the quality. A leather strap is an additional cost option that compliments the watch and helps root the Averau 39 Moon phase’s field watch identity a bit more. A bracelet is also a further cost extra but confuses the identity of the watch further I feel, also making the watch wear bigger due to none articulating end links.

Packaging is lovely, with a wooden box and black interior cushioning giving a premium feel beyond its price tag, so well done to them on that front.

To conclude this is certainly a microbrand to keep an eye on, with some lovely looking watches, thoughtfully conceived and skilfully produced. I’m excited for what they release next.
Now let’s all say it together, ‘echo noy-tra’ Averau 39 Moon phase.