Travel in style with the jetsetting echo/neutra Cortina 1956 Chrono GMT
D.C. HannayI’ve been an ardent booster of echo/neutra’s design language ever since I laid eyes on their fetching Cortina 1956 three-hander, and was totally besotted once I got hands-on with their GMT variant, which took their distinctive aesthetic to the next level in a retro-cool travel watch. Well, they’ve outdone themselves yet again with their latest offering, the function-forward Cortina 1956 Chrono GMT. The striking visuals of the Cortina lineup have been retained, with the addition of chronograph and GMT functions that are superbly well-integrated. Italian-designed and Swiss-made, echo/neutra’s stylish new travel companion is, per usual, drop-dead gorgeous.
Many modern chronographs suffer from serious case bloat, especially ones with a display back, but not so with the closed-back Cortina Chrono GMT. A case height of 12.7mm is highly competitive in this realm (14.8 mm including the 2.1 mm tall domed sapphire crystal), with creative beveling and a marked downturn at the lugs making the wearing experience an easy one.
The case features classic 40mm/20mm dimensions for the diameter and lug width, respectively, and it lug-to-lug comes in at a trim 46mm across the wrist. The push-in crown and dual pushers offer, along with the embossed screw-in caseback, a water resistance rating of 100 metres. I have to say, the Cortina Chrono GMT’s case finishing is superb, especially at the price point, given that some watches costing two or even three times as much don’t reach this level of refinement. Case edges are stiletto-sharp, and the brushing is exceptionally fine. The fixed telemeter bezel insert is constructed of black ceramic, and fully lumed in green SuperLuminova.
echo/neutra is known for its bold, punchy dials that manage the trick of looking both classic and contemporary, and its latest are no exception. A three-register layout comes in both full black and a striking bronze panda variant, featuring contrasting khaki tan and black accents. Both dials are punctuated with vivid red elements that include the GMT hand.
Lume is judiciously applied on the hands only, glowing with cool blue SuperLuminova in contrast to the green of the bezel. It’s a striking look, and I’m all in.
I’ve sort of buried the lede, though, and that’s the slick GMT display, which I find far more intuitive and frankly, more clever than your typical 24-hour bezel configuration. See, unless you’re in the military or in broadcasting, you don’t normally use the 24-hour time format, so echo/neutra have employed a simple and elegant solution. Behind the running seconds subdial at nine lies a rotating day/night disc that revolves once every 24 hours, allowing the GMT hand two trips around the dial per day. Honestly, it makes reading the second time zone far more instinctual, requiring no groggy mental gymnastics on my part after a transcontinental redeye. The rest of the subdial functions include a 30-minute counter at twelve, and a 12-hour counter at six. Simple and effective, like all great designs.
Keeping things humming along is the Sellita SW532M b caliber. The manually wound movement features 21 jewels, an antimagnetic Nivaflex barrel spring, a cam-operated chronograph, a beat rate of 28,800 vph, and a power reserve of 62 hours. Although the movement hides behind a screwed-in caseback, it features Sellita’s highest level of elaboré decoration, which always strikes me as a sort of insider flex. Even though you can’t see it, you know it’s there, and it shows the brand’s pride in its craft.
Every echo/neutra watch ships with a second strap, which, in my opinion, is just a cool thing to do. If you opt for the leather, you’ll get the black rubber tropic-style strap thrown in. But my advice is to always buy the bracelet with the watch, as it’s usually a better value play. And in this case, it’s a fantastic bargain, because the bracelet is a steal for a minimal US$50 upcharge, and it still includes an extra leather strap. The handsome three-link design sports brushed inner and polished outer links, a vintage taper, screwed construction, and it includes extra links, with a half link for a truly custom fit.
Once again, echo/neutra delivers in the style department, with its classic/contemporary look and solid specs, and the value is on the money, especially on the bracelet. If you’re in search of midcentury vibes with modern accoutrements, your flight is on time and at the gate.
echo/neutra Cortina 1956 Chrono GMT pricing and availability
The echo/neutra Cortina 1956 Chrono GMT is available now, priced at US$1,890 with a premium leather strap and additional tropic rubber strap included, and US$1,940 on the bracelet, with additional leather strap.
| Brand | echo/neutra |
| Model | Cortina 1956 Chrono GMT |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 14.8mm (T) x 46mm (L to L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Black sunray, bronze panda sunray |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire domed |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless three-link, premium leather, tropic-style rubber |
| Movement | Sellita SW532M b Elaboré |
| Power Reserve | 62 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, GMT, day/night indicator, chronograph seconds, running seconds, 30-minute counter, 12 hour counter |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$1,890/leather and rubber straps, US$1,940/bracelet and leather strap |