Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph
Starting from 1.690 €The Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph is a vintage-inspired military watch combining the aesthetics of 1950s and 1960s chronographs with contemporary Swiss Made construction. Its forest-green dial, fixed telemeter bezel and two subdials give it a distinctive instrument-like identity without adopting an overly tactical appearance. The 40 mm stainless steel 316L case houses a hand-wound Sellita mechanical movement in Elaboré grade. Water-resistant to 100 metres and protected by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal, it remains suitable for everyday wear. Supplied with two straps, this version is aimed at enthusiasts of military chronographs, traditional mechanical watchmaking and timepieces with a strong retro character.
Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph Military Watch
Echo/Neutra develops watches designed to combine function, durability and visual character. The brand was founded through the collaboration of Nicola Callegaro, a designer, and Cristiano Quaglia, an aerospace engineer and product developer. Their approach places particular importance on the balance between form and function, as well as on creating objects designed to stand the test of time. The 1956 collection expresses this philosophy through a vintage aesthetic, with lines and colours inspired by watches from the 1950s and 1960s, while relying on Swiss Made production.
The 1956 Alpine Chronograph follows this identity with a forest-green dial featuring changing shades, a highly domed sapphire crystal and a brown suede strap that strengthen its historical appearance. Its classification as a military watch is primarily based on its telemeter bezel. This scale can be used to calculate the distance between the observer and an event that is seen before it is heard. The chronograph is started when the flash or explosion is seen and stopped when the sound is heard. Historically, this type of scale was notably used to estimate the distance of enemy artillery fire.
However, the watch does not claim to have been officially issued to an army or operational unit. Instead, it offers a civilian and premium interpretation of the historical military chronograph. Its 40 mm diameter, hand-wound movement and two included straps provide enough versatility to move from a utilitarian style to a more formal appearance.
Technical Specifications – Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph
- Brand: Echo/Neutra
- Model: 1956 Alpine Chronograph
- Approximate Price: From €1,690
- Movement: Swiss manual-winding mechanical movement
- Calibre: Sellita SW510M BH b
- Power Reserve: Approximately 58 hours
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Crown: Push-pull
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: Ultra-domed sapphire crystal
- Dial: Forest green with Super-LumiNova
- Straps: Vintage Tobacco suede strap and a second strap of your choice
- Warranty: 2-year international warranty
- Box Contents: Watch, two straps, warranty card
The Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Military Chronograph
The Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph adopts a balanced silhouette designed to evoke the technical chronographs of the mid-20th century without directly reproducing a vintage model. Its 40 mm 316L stainless steel case maintains a strong wrist presence, while its 46 mm lug-to-lug length keeps the proportions relatively compact. The 14.1 mm thickness is noticeable, but is partly explained by the architecture of the chronograph and the domed profile of the crystal.
The green dial is the model's main distinguishing feature. Its rich, subdued shade changes depending on the angle and the light, shifting from deep forest green to lighter tones. This finish adds depth without compromising the organization of the information. The chronograph counters, the peripheral scale and the hands remain easy to read, while the Super-LumiNova BGW9 applied to the indexes and hands produces a blue glow in the dark.
The fixed sapphire bezel with telemeter scale reinforces the model's military identity. Combined with the chronograph, it allows the distance of a visible event to be estimated before it is heard. Today, this function is more a tribute to instrumental heritage than an everyday necessity, but it gives the watch genuine historical and visual coherence. The main Vintage Tobacco suede strap provides a warm brown contrast that enhances the overall vintage character.
A Swiss Manual-Winding Chronograph
The 1956 Alpine Chronograph is powered by the Sellita SW510M BH b Elaboré, a Swiss mechanical calibre with manual winding. This choice contributes to the watch's vintage character: unlike an automatic movement, it requires regular winding by its owner and creates a more direct connection with the mechanics. The calibre drives the hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph functions. Its advertised power reserve of approximately 58 hours provides comfortable autonomy between winding sessions.
Legibility is enhanced by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal with an internal double anti-reflective coating. This profile recalls the acrylic crystals of vintage watches while offering the scratch resistance of modern sapphire. The 100-metre water resistance provides protection suited to everyday wear and certain aquatic activities. The crown remains a push-pull design rather than screw-down, meaning this watch should not be considered a professional dive watch.
Comfort and appearance can be adapted thanks to the two supplied straps. The first is the Vintage Tobacco suede strap. The second can be chosen from four options: black vintage leather, metal bracelet developed for the 1956 collection, Vintage Tobacco suede or Milanese mesh. The price starts at €1,690 with the standard options and reaches €1,740 when the 1956 steel bracelet is selected. This modularity allows the watch to evolve from a retro military style to a dressier or fully metallic appearance.
Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph Military Watch: Vintage Telemeter
The Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph is a historically inspired military watch powered by a Swiss hand-wound mechanical movement. Its 40 mm stainless steel 316L case is fitted with a forest-green dial, an ultra-domed sapphire crystal and a fixed sapphire telemeter bezel. The Sellita SW510M BH b Elaboré calibre provides approximately 58 hours of power reserve. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the watch features BGW9 luminescence and comes with two straps. Its price starts at €1,690 and rises to €1,740 with the steel bracelet developed for the 1956 collection.
Movement
The watch is powered by the Sellita SW510M BH b Elaboré, a Swiss hand-wound mechanical calibre. It drives the time display, small seconds and chronograph. Its approximately 58-hour power reserve provides comfortable autonomy while preserving the mechanical winding ritual associated with historical chronographs.
Diameter and Materials
The 40 mm case is made from stainless steel 316L. Its 46 mm lug-to-lug length balances its wrist presence, while the thickness reaches 14.1 mm. The fixed sapphire bezel and ultra-domed crystal strengthen the watch’s vintage and instrument-inspired appearance.
Water Resistance
With a stated water resistance of 100 metres, the 1956 Alpine Chronograph can withstand daily use and certain water-based activities. However, its crown is push-pull rather than screw-down. It therefore remains a versatile everyday military watch rather than a professional diving instrument.
Accessories
Two straps are included. The first is a Tobacco vintage suede strap. The second can be selected from black vintage leather, the 1956 steel bracelet, another Tobacco suede strap or a Milanese mesh bracelet. Choosing the steel bracelet increases the price from €1,690 to €1,740.
Warranty
The watch is covered by a two-year limited international warranty from the date of receipt. It covers manufacturing defects in accordance with the brand’s conditions. Echo/Neutra also states that every watch is individually tested to verify its water resistance and the correct operation of its different functions.
Echo/Neutra 1956 Alpine Chronograph The pros
and cons
- Balanced 40 mm case
- Approximately 58-hour power reserve
- Ultra-domed sapphire crystal
- Second strap included (choice of four options)
- 100-metre water resistance
- Noticeable 14.1 mm thickness
- Requires regular manual winding
- No chronometer certification announced
- Bold vintage style
Prices and technical specifications are subject to change. Content and photos are not contractual.
