Hands-On With The Charming Echo/Neutra Rivanera Piccolo
A little over a year ago, Echo/Neutra floored me with its Rivanera. The brand’s modern take on the classic dress watch quickly became one of my highlights of 2024. In fact, it impressed me so much that I added one to my collection. Now, a little over 12 months later, the Italian brand surprises us with the follow-up to the inaugural Rivanera. The three new Rivanera Piccolo models are smaller but have at least as much presence as their two bigger brothers. Will Echo/Neutra be able to floor us again with this new Rivanera Piccolo series? I had a chance to find out.
Let me start with a small confession: I have only worn my gray-dial Rivanera a handful of times. However, that’s more because I keep it for special occasions rather than making it a daily wearer. That sounds a bit strange, but I actually love that watch so much that I don’t want to ruin the magical feeling I get whenever I put it on my wrist. Until now, I have been mesmerized by the watch every single time. As you will understand, I was genuinely excited by the prospect of the new, smaller Rivanera Piccolo models.
The story of the new Echo/Neutra Rivanera Piccolo series
Echo/Neutra introduces three versions of the smaller Rivanera. Two of them come with “Grain de Riz” guilloché dials in black or white, while the third model features a dial in Musou Black, the blackest acrylic paint ever created. The models make for an interesting trio of watches and feature a lot of the details that made the inaugural Rivanera so impressive.
The Rivanera and the smaller Rivanera Piccolo
It all starts with the smaller case made from lightweight Grade 5 titanium. The case has a 26mm diameter, a 33mm lug-to-lug, and a svelte 6.9mm profile. Considering that automatic calibers power these new, smaller models, that is impressive. Perhaps more impressively, the whole watch weighs only 29 grams.
The titanium case features the same fine-grain sandblasted finish as the bigger Rivanera, and it contrasts brilliantly with the polished edges. From experience, I can say that the presence of the case is spectacular. It redefines the classic dress watch in terms of materials. Additionally, the levels of detail are stunning. A few glances from different perspectives will constantly reveal new lines.
The allure of Musou Black
The first dial variation to catch my eye was the Musou Black one. The acrylic paint used on this dial absorbs 99.4% of light. As a result, it creates a dark visual void that eliminates all reflections. We have seen similar dials from H. Moser & Cie. with its mysterious and attractive Vantablack dials.
The Musou Black version next to last year’s gray-dial Rivanera
Especially in combination with the dark gray titanium case, this Musou Black dial makes for a stylish, minimalist take on a dress watch. The upper half of the dial features the Rivanera name, while the “Swiss Made” text straddles the date window at 6 o’clock. All of the text is in a flaky light silver color, which is an appropriate pairing with the high-polished hands. The date disc is black with white printing, so it integrates nicely with the dial and text. Overall, this new Rivanera Piccolo feels like a modern version of the classic Cartier Tank Must with the marker-less black dial.
The two guilloché dials
The two other variants each feature a “Grain de Riz” guilloché dial in black or white. We received the black-dial version, but this guilloché dial is inherently different from the Musou Black one, as you can see. It’s more classic in its presence and is very detailed in its execution. The refined guilloché pattern gives the dials a nice texture that plays with the light at various angles.
In addition to the guilloché pattern, each dial contains a raised square frame of sorts, which holds the “Swiss Made” text on the lower half of the dial. It also intersects with the date window, which, as on the Musou Black version, sits at 6 o’clock and shows a black date disc with white printing. Lastly, the silver-colored hands allow you to read the time effortlessly while also providing a shiny glimmer to contrast the black guilloché pattern.
Interestingly, all three Rivanera Piccolo variants come with both a comfortable textured black rubber strap and a grained black Saffiano leather one. Both 20mm straps feature a Grade 5 titanium pin buckle to match the case.
The automatic Sellita SW1000 caliber
If you turn the Rivanera Piccolo around, you will be greeted by the Sellita SW1000 caliber that powers it. Next to the case size, it’s another significant change compared to the first Rivanera, which is powered by the manual-winding ETA 7001 caliber. The Sellita SW1000 operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 18 jewels, and offers a 46-hour power reserve.
The caliber offers hacking seconds and a quick-set date for daily practicality. Additionally, it’s finished to a high standard with a customized, branded rotor and perlage for added visual appeal. The élaboré-grade SW1000 was adjusted in three positions and has an accuracy of ±7 to ±20 seconds per day. This 3.9mm-thin caliber is the perfect choice to power the new Rivanera Piccolo.
Wearing the Echo/Neutra Rivanera Piccolo
The first Echo/Neutra Rivanera fits my wrist perfectly, so I was curious to find out how these smaller models would fit and look. Of course, I was a little scared that these awesome-looking Piccolos would be too small for my 18.5cm wrist. But leave it up to the clever minds of Echo/Neutra founders Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia to make the design work.
By keeping a 20mm lug spacing, the watches offer ample wrist presence, making them suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes. Everyone in the Fratello office was impressed by how well the Rivanera Piccolo fit both smaller and bigger wrists. Not once did they feel or look out of place, and that is a massive compliment to the Echo/Neutra guys. Because the 26mm case has a 20mm strap, the watches almost wear like bracelets. There is a natural flow in the design that makes the Rivanera Piccolo feel elegant, refined, and surprisingly versatile.
My impressions
The Echo/Neutra Rivanera Piccolo retains all the familiar features that made the larger Rivanera so impressive. From the modern, lightweight titanium case and the flat sapphire crystal with dramatically faceted edges to the minimalist presence, it’s all there. But through a clever series of design changes, these new Rivanera Piccolo models feel like so much more than just smaller versions of the first Rivanera. They have quite a different look, which gives them a relevance that surprised me tremendously.
Their smaller size, distinct dials, the practicality of an automatic caliber, and the rubber strap all made it super easy to fall in love with these new Rivaneras. On top of that, I am still over the moon with my original Rivanera, so this is a tour de force by Echo/Neutra that is nothing short of impressive.
The Rivanera Piccolo will attract new and current fans
If there is one change I would make, it would be to lose the date. I understand its practicality, and it is integrated neatly. But I love a clean minimalist dial, so anytime you can maximize that concept, I would. However, the reality is that it never bothered me during the time I spent with these watches. If anything, the new Rivaneras made me swoon just as much as the first one did. So instead of thinking of the presence of a date as something I would change, I’ll happily add it to the distinguishing factors that make these watches stand out beside their bigger siblings.
The result is a series of new Rivanera watches that are somewhat different from the inaugural models, and that is a great achievement. A simple size change would have already attracted a new audience. But with all the changes and interesting details that the team at Echo/Neutra integrated, these Piccolo models will attract both new and existing Rivanera fans who will happily pay the €1,640 needed to acquire one.
Hats off to Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia for creating a fresh take on the Rivanera concept. Spending time with the watches reminded me of my great love for the inaugural Rivanera. But above all, it has shot the new Rivanera Piccolo to the top of my wish list. Echo/Neutra proves once more that this is the future of dress watches, and that future looks bright!
