Race the Italian Dolomites with the Cortina 1956 from echo/neutra

Founded in 2018 by Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia, echo/neutra is an Italian-designed, Swiss-made brand that offers original concepts with a vintage sporting spirit. The brand draws inspiration from the Dolomites mountains in Italy, and this influence is reflected in the names of its collections. One of its distinctive features is the red-white-red tip on the second hand of all its watches. It is reminiscent of the pattern on the signage of the Italian Alpine Club, Club Alpino Italiano. Their most recent release is a limited edition chronograph celebrating their partnership with the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti.

The Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti is an automotive competition that began in 1947 as a pure-speed race. Today, it has evolved into a classic regularity race for vintage cars manufactured until 1971. The Coppa d’Oro is renowned for its unique route through the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site which adds to its particularity and charm. The race will take place from July 18th to 20th, 2024, and echo/neutra has been chosen once again as the official timekeeper for the event. To celebrate this association, 100 special Cortina 1956 Chronograph watches were created, featuring the race’s logo in red at 6 o’clock.

The Cortina 1956 is a contemporary-sized stainless steel chronograph measuring 40mm in diameter, 14.1mm in thickness, and 46mm from lug to lug, making it very wrist-friendly. These limited editions are available in two colorways: blue with pink accents or light peach with blue accents and blue subdials. Both watches feature ultra-domed sapphire glass crystals, with color-matched tachymeter scales capped with sapphire inserts. Completing the case is a screw-down solid case back that presents an engraving bearing the collection’s logo. The signed crown is a standard push-pull, but thanks to its modern gasket system, it retains a water resistance of 100m.

The Sellita manual wind SW510M powers these chronographs. This ultra-reliable movement operates at 28,800 beats per hour (4Hz), has 23 jewels, and has a power reserve of 58-63 hours. One advantage of manual-wind movements is the absence of a rotor and automatic winding mechanism, which results in a slimmer overall watch profile. The blue version will come with a flat Italian natural tumbled blue leather strap, with contrasting light peach stitches, while the light peach version will come with an embossed natural tumbled blue leather strap with light peach contrasting stitching. Both will also come with stainless steel Milanese Mesh bracelets.

The Cortina “Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti” Chronographs are limited to 50 pieces per dial color and start at $1590 USD. Head to the echo/neutra shop today to see the full details of these speedy pieces.  For further information and inquiries, please feel free to contact them at [email protected].