Alcadus Quantra is a striking example of how microbrands can evolve and offer products that compete with more established microbrands at higher price points. From its classy design and sophisticated build quality to its thoughtful packaging and enjoyable unboxing experience, this watch encapsulates a level of sophistication that’s rare in this price range. When I reviewed the Alcadus Dromo and Opus V2 in 2022, I was already impressed with the brand’s attention to detail. However, the Quantra Type 02 represents a clear step forward, showing a greater sense of maturity and overall quality.
Delivered from the beginning
I am grateful for the privilege of working here at Fratello. I’ve opened many watch boxes over the years, but I usually don’t pay much attention to them. However, in the case of Quantra, I wanted to talk about it. Alcadus improved the unboxing experience of the Quantra compared to my previous experience with this brand in 2022. When you open the box, you’ll receive a thick cardstock thank you note from brand founder Yook Hon. The back side also serves as an operating guide. For an even more premium feel, your watch will arrive in a nice leather watch roll. The NFC warranty card and cleaning cloth are carefully stored in a small branded felt pouch. This was a particularly nice touch, although unnecessary, as it shows an attention to detail that is often lacking at this price point. And how much does it cost? Top of the line $635 USD.
Arcadas sent me two watches for this review: the Quantra Type 01 and Type 02. Both watches use the same case and movement, but have different dial designs. Type 01 and Type 02 are available in a wide variety of colors. For this review I have a Type 01 Silver and a Type 02 Anthracite.
Arcadus Quantra Type 01 Silver
Quantra Type 01 Silver embodies a crisp and timeless aesthetic. It’s certainly not sporty, but it’s not too dressy and feels versatile enough to be an everyday watch. The silver dial is available in three different finishes. Fine circular brushing can be seen on the outer part of the dial. This nicely complements the smooth matte finish in the center of the dial. Finally, the small seconds register has an azurage finish. The way the dial changes between a soft matte finish and a bright glow in the dark is very pleasing to the eye. This may be a sub-$1,000 watch, but there’s a lot to like here.
The dial layout is equally attractive, combining pad-printed even numbers with stick markers. The thin blue baton hands add a pleasant contrast to the dial. No luminescence exists, but if Arcadus had tried to incorporate it, it would have detracted from its clean aesthetic. The Quantra Type 01 silver dial strikes a delicate balance between classic charm and modern minimalism, proving that well-crafted simplicity can be truly timeless. Masu.
Arcadas Type 02 Anthracite
Next up, the Quantra Type 02 Anthracite boasts a more streamlined design that feels dressier. It’s a very simple, yet sophisticated word. The vertical brushed finish of the anthracite dial beautifully captures bright sunlight. Depending on the viewing angle, a dynamic play of color and detail emerges. However, when the light decreases, the dial turns a deep black. This subtle yet effective detail elevates the watch, making it visually appealing without being too flashy. It’s hard to capture on camera, but it’s much more obvious in real life. Either way, it’s subtle enough in the right sense.
The distinguishing feature here is how the various dial elements complement each other. Sharp and sophisticated polished hour markers give this watch an elegant yet minimalist appeal. Additionally, the steel dauphine-style hands are polished and easy to read, perfectly complementing the subdued dial. Other contrasting elements are the white railroad minute track on the outer periphery of the dial and a similar track on the seconds subdial. Oh, and it also includes the brand’s wordmark.
Quantra’s carefully considered case
The Quantra case is made from 316L stainless steel and features a polished and brushed finish that highlights the contours of the design. Measuring 36mm in diameter, 10.5mm thick and 44mm long, it offers beautifully understated proportions that are suitable for most wrist sizes. 20mm lug spacing ensures compatibility with a variety of straps for added versatility.
My favorite element of the Quantra case is the recessed finish on the sides. These sections are CNC machined and sandblasted to give them a unique internal texture. Once sandblasting is complete, specific areas of the case are sanded and brushed before a hard surface coating and anti-fingerprint coating are applied. Wonderful stuff! The finish on the case is excellent, especially for a watch in this price range. It provides a crisp transition between polished and brushed surfaces, reflecting the level of precision often found in more expensive watches. Featuring a push-pull crown, this case is water resistant to 50 meters and is suitable for most everyday situations.
Comes standard with an excellent strap
Like the Alcadus Dromo and Opus V2, the leather strap that comes with the Quantra Type 02 is excellent. Alcadus once again delivers supple, well-crafted straps that are luxurious and comfortable right out of the box. Microbrands often cut corners on the quality of their straps, but Alcadus remains committed to providing a premium experience. At this price point, I’ve seen other brands skimp on low-quality straps that ruin the initial unboxing experience (even if they were meant to be replaced). With Alcadus, I tend to keep the standard straps on because these watches are great right out of the box.
You can choose from three straps. All are made from the same soft, textured French leather with tone-on-tone stitching, but are available in brown/tan, black, and grey. Luckily, I was able to try all three options and found my favorites in each watch. I felt the Quantra Type 01 Silver looked best with the gray strap, followed by the black strap. For Type 02 Anthracite, black was the winner, followed by brown/tan. That said, the 20mm lug spacing means you can play around with straps from your existing collection.
Advantages of Quantra’s micro rotor
At the heart of the Quantra Type 01 and 02 is a regulated Hangzhou 5015A automatic micro-rotor movement. The movement has a generous 42-hour power reserve and the micro-rotor winding system allows for a slim case profile, which is a great advantage. Decoratively, it features Geneva stripes on the bridge and perlage on the baseplate. The gold-colored micro rotor gives it a luxurious feel suitable for a dressy watch. Finally, complete the decoration with blue screws. Although Alcadus does not specify an exact accuracy rating for the movement, there were no noticeable deviations during my time with the watch.
I’m pleasantly surprised to find a watch with a micro-rotor in this price range. I’ve known about the Hangzhou movement for some time, but it’s not particularly new. Still, from a value perspective, Swiss micro-rotor watches usually come with a hefty premium, so having options at a more affordable price point can only be beneficial to consumers. The traditional decoration definitely matches the style of the watch and I am very satisfied with it. I have nothing negative to say about the movement choices here.
4 year warranty? Shut up!
Quantra Type 02 Anthracite is located in a competitive segment. Still, its design, build quality, and thoughtful details stand out. In many ways, it’s similar to Grand Seiko, especially its clean dial design (though perhaps not the classic GS texture) and despite being a fraction of the cost. It features an excellent finish. This watch aims to bridge the gap between luxury and affordability, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts who appreciate fine details but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars. One final note here: Alcadus offers an excellent 4-year warranty on all of their products. Yes, it’s been 4 years. According to the Alcadus website, this “covers mechanical defects in the movement and promises to replace the watch case free of charge for normal wear and tear or accidental damage.” You couldn’t ask for more fairness.
Final thoughts on Alcadus Quantra Type 01 and Type 02
The Alcadus Quantra Type 01 and Type 02 are impressive watches that punch well above their weight class. Every aspect of the watch, from the unboxing experience to the quality of the case, dial, and strap, reflects a level of thoughtfulness and sophistication rarely seen from more affordable microbrands. The attention to detail, especially in finish and design, sets Alcadus Quantra apart from many others.
This watch is a testament to Alcadus’ evolution as a brand. Quantra offers an experience comparable to much more expensive watches. If you’re looking for a watch that combines style, functionality, and outstanding value, the Quantra Type 01 or Type 02 is probably the right choice for your wrist. At a price of $635 as of this writing (though it’s expected to increase to $749 at some point), there’s not much to complain about.
As always, I’m interested in your thoughts and comments. What do you like (or dislike) about Quantra? Also, if you have any recommended strap combinations, please let us know.
