By 
Autumn is nicely and actually right here. There’s no denying it. We’ve all seen the nights drawing in and the temperatures dropping (nicely, all of us within the Northern Hemisphere have, at the very least). I don’t learn about you, however I’ve even began placing the heating on right here and there. The times of summer time are gone, however that doesn’t cease us from in search of a little bit of late-summer solar. As a substitute of taking a summer time vacation in summer time and skipping the little good climate that the UK naturally will get, I made a decision to take my summer time vacation in October. As is the age-old dilemma as a holidaying watch fan, which watch will get the nod? Nicely, I took the brand new Cristallo dive watch from the Italian microbrand Echo/Neutra.
I bought into amassing watches by amassing microbrands. Whereas a lot of these items have now left my assortment, microbrands nonetheless maintain a spot near my coronary heart. It’s more and more harder to separate the wheat from the chaff, with many fly-by-night “manufacturers” popping up weekly. Fortunately, some microbrands preserve producing excellent-quality watches in good-looking, eye-catching designs. Echo/Neutra is an ideal instance.
The elephant within the room…
I wish to get the blindingly apparent level out of the best way instantly — the dial. Sure, the pale blue-to-black hue is by-product of the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller. I’m positive different watches could use this dial coloration (let me know within the feedback!), however the Rolex is probably the most memorable. Other than the dial coloration and the actual fact it’s a chrome steel dive watch, that’s the place the plain similarities finish.
Echo/Neutra markets the Cristallo as a “skilled dive watch”. Let me preempt those that would decry that “skilled divers put on dive computer systems”. Nicely, sure, they do, however there may be a lot to be stated for mechanical dive watches too. I’ve heard tales (non-verifiable, sorry) that some divers desire their pc backup to be a mechanical watch relatively than a second dive pc. In case {of electrical} failure or a pc error, the mechanical watch is unlikely to be affected by the identical forces which may trigger a dive pc to fail. Make of that what you’ll, but when a modern-day dive watch has particular standards, I believe it’s truthful to make use of the “skilled” moniker.
What makes it “skilled”?
What standards would I specify? Nicely, initially, the watch ought to be water resistant to a minimal of 300 meters. Why 300 meters? Nicely, a 300-meter ranking provides sufficient safety for all common water-based actions. Nonetheless, it’s also appropriate for the extra technical dives that require a diver to go deeper than the standard leisure dive limits. Everyone knows that water resistance rankings are examined in extremely managed environments. In live-use eventualities, there are such a lot of totally different variables that may amplify the efficient stress on a watch. Even light underwater currents or simply shifting your arms will increase the efficient stress that your watch experiences. There’s a number of info on water resistance in watches on the market, so I received’t open that dialogue right here.
The Echo/Neutra Cristallo is water-resistant to 500 meters, providing greater than sufficient for any leisure diver and most technical divers. The helium-escape valve makes it appropriate for saturation diving too.
So what’s the Cristallo all about?
Let’s check out the important thing particulars right here. The Cristallo diver is a 42mm dive watch with a 49mm lug-to-lug. Proportionally, the measurements are wonderful and never unwieldy. When it comes to thickness, the watch measures 14mm, together with a 3mm-thick crystal. Once more, that’s nicely in proportion, though I took the measurements after sporting the watch. On the wrist, I felt that it could be a tad thicker than that, which could have been on account of its weight. The Cristallo is among the heavier watches I’ve worn, nevertheless it’s not uncomfortable. Weighing in at 189 grams, together with the bracelet, you’ll know this one is in your wrist. Eradicating the bracelet, the watch head alone weighs 105 grams.
#gallery-1 {
margin: auto;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-item {
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: heart;
width: 33%;
}
#gallery-1 img {
border: 2px stable #cfcfcf;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {
margin-left: 0;
}
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The case is a really basic form, though relatively properly executed. The tapered, polished chamfer provides a pleasant visible contact. Whereas the case predominantly options easy curves, the crown guards are straighter and extra angular, though additionally with a splendidly polished chamfer. They add just a little totally different character to a different easy case form. I’m not towards this.
The bezel and bracelet
The bezel is a 120-click, uni-directional affair with a ceramic insert and lumed markings. Operation is easy and straightforward, as one would hope and count on. The bezel markings are no-decompression occasions for divers — one other nod to the watch’s “skilled” qualities. Nevertheless, no-deco timings are rather less useful within the grand scheme. I would like to tweak this one ingredient of the watch. I wouldn’t fully take away the no-deco scale, as it may be a useful reference software for all divers. Nevertheless, I’d desire a twin scale, incorporating one for elapsed time. Assume Doxa’s SUB 300, for instance. You get the perfect of each worlds and enhance the general performance. That’s simply my two cents; let me know what you assume within the feedback!
The bracelet isn’t any slouch, both. The H-shape hyperlinks supply loads of articulation on the wrist. Maybe a very powerful factor for any bracelet is that it doesn’t pull wrist hair. I’m completely satisfied to report that I by no means skilled that with this watch as a result of it’s by no means a pleasing sensation. The clasp is well-made, and the extension mechanism works completely. That is sensible when sporting a wetsuit however equally invaluable for warm climate to counteract one’s swelling wrist! The one minor niggle with the clasp is that the inside folding half is probably just a little longer than it must be. I’d have most well-liked a barely shorter inside part that didn’t protrude previous the primary connected hyperlink. As I stated, there are minor niggles.
A Sellita SW279 powers the Cristallo dive watch
Echo/Neutra selected the elaboré-grade Sellita SW279 to energy its Cristallo. A part of the motion producer’s well-known SW200 household, the SW279 options two key variations. Firstly, the central seconds hand is moved to a small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock. That is no large deal, because the seconds on a dive watch are extra vital to be used as an operation indicator. The small dual-ended seconds hand is lumed, so all good there. Moreover, the watch incorporates a power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock. That is maybe not crucial on an computerized watch. Nonetheless, I just like the interactive ingredient of a dial-side energy reserve, which makes the Cristallo stand out just a little extra from the plethora of dive watches out there in the marketplace.
As talked about, the Sellita SW279 is an computerized caliber, giving the wearer a 41-hour energy reserve. With an working frequency of 4Hz and hacking, the SW279 often incorporates a date perform, however Echo/Neutra eliminated the date-setting place. I just like the date on my watches, however seeing because the dial has sufficient happening with the PR indicator and small seconds, it may need been just a little an excessive amount of right here. No date works for me.
Dwell testing experiences with the Cristallo
The place higher to check out a dive watch than in Cyprus, proper? OK, granted, I didn’t take the watch scuba diving. That might have been superior, however I must do a refresher course earlier than diving once more. As a substitute, the Cristallo noticed time by the pool (the place I took all of the photographs for this text), snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Which means I couldn’t take a look at the be careful underwater to any vital depth. I might rise up within the deepest part of the pool, and whereas snorkeling, I didn’t go deeper than about two or three meters whereas diving to see extra carefully at some hungry wrasse. Paddleboarding noticed extra immersion, as I wasn’t probably the most secure on my toes. That stated, I blame the waves, Your Honor. Whereas falling off, the watch took greater than a few whacks off of the board.
I’m happy that the Cristallo handed this gentle testing with flying colours. However that’s just about as one would count on, given the excessive specs of the watch! Whereas the Echo/Neutra solely makes use of common 316L stainless-steel, I had anticipated a number of scratch-based mementos on the case. Curiously, there was nothing of notice regardless of loads of contact with abrasive sand and the aforementioned paddleboard contact. That was a pleasant bonus! I’ve had different comparable watches that haven’t been so fortunate in comparable environments!
Ultimate ideas and opinions
The Echo/Neutra Cristallo is a stable watch. There’s no denying that the Italian model has at all times impressed its prospects with the construct high quality of its items. From my expertise, you may relaxation assured you’ll get a superb product everytime you purchase one of many model’s watches. The Cristallo isn’t any exception to the rule. For some, it could be just a little larger and thicker than they like, however that’s high-quality. It’s not a skin-diver kind watch. This can be a critical dive watch and makes no pretense of being something much less.
Due to the gorgeous blue-to-black degradé dial, this watch will definitely go well with anybody in search of a extra inexpensive choice to the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller. That stated, don’t let that visible comparability restrict your opinion of the watch. The Cristallo provides sufficient character to make it stand out and make a splash of its personal. The Echo/Neutra Cristallo prices €1,190 together with VAT. You may study extra in regards to the Cristallo on Echo/Neutra’s official web site.
Comply with me on Instagram: @davesergeant | @fratellowatches
Comments