Hands-On With The Charming Alcadus Quantra Type 01 And Type 02
The Alcadus Quantra is a striking example of how a microbrand can evolve, delivering a product that competes with more established microbrands at higher price points. From its tasteful design and refined build quality to its thoughtful packaging and enjoyable unboxing experience, this watch encapsulates a level of sophistication that is rare at its price point. Having reviewed the Alcadus Dromo and Opus V2 back in 2022, I was already impressed by the brand’s attention to detail. However, the Quantra Type 02 marks a clear leap forward, showcasing a greater sense of maturity and overall quality.
Delivering from the very start
I appreciate the privileged position I’m in working here at Fratello. I have unboxed a lot of watches in my time, and it’s not something I usually pay much attention to. However, in the case of the Quantra, I wanted to talk about it. Alcadus has elevated the unboxing experience with the Quantra compared to my previous experience with the brand in 2022. When you open the box, you’re greeted with a thick cardstock thank-you note from brand founder Yook Hong. It also doubles as an operation guide on the reverse. Adding to the premium feel, the watch is delivered in a nice leather watch roll. The NFC warranty card and cleaning cloth are thoughtfully housed in a small, branded felt pouch. This was a particularly nice touch because it’s unnecessary but shows an attention to detail that is often missing at this price point. And what price point is that? A mere 635 of your finest US dollars.
Alcadus sent two watches over for this review — the Quantra Type 01 and Type 02. Both watches use the same case and movement but have different dial designs. The Type 01 and Type 02 have various colors available too. I have the Type 01 Silver and Type 02 Anthracite for this review.
Alcadus Quantra Type 01 Silver
The Quantra Type 01 Silver embodies a crisp and enduringly charming aesthetic. While certainly not sporty, it feels versatile enough as an everyday type of watch and not overly dressy. The silver dial uses a trio of finishes. You’ll find a fine circular brushing on the outer portion of the dial. This nicely complements the smooth, matte finish of the dial’s center. Finally, the small seconds register has an azurage finish. The way the dial transitions between a soft matte finish in low light and a luminous shimmer is highly 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 charming, with a mixture of pad-printed even numbers and stick markers. The slender, blued baton hands add some welcome contrast to the dial. There’s no lume present, but it would have spoiled the clean aesthetic if Alcadus had tried to incorporate it. The Quantra Type 01 Silver’s dial strikes a delicate equilibrium between classic charm and modern minimalism, proving that well-executed simplicity can be truly timeless.
Alcadus Type 02 Anthracite
Next up, the Quantra Type 02 Anthracite boasts an even more stripped-back design that feels dressier. It’s very simplistic but in a refined sense of the word. The anthracite dial’s vertically brushed finish captures bright daylight beautifully. Depending on the viewing angle, this creates a dynamic play of shades and detail. However, the dial shifts to a deep black with less lighting. This subtle yet effective detail elevates the watch, making it visually captivating without being too ostentatious. It’s tough to pick up on the camera, but it’s more apparent in real life. Either way, it’s subtle enough in just the right way.
The standout feature here is how the different dial elements complement each other. The sharp, applied, polished indexes give it an elegant yet minimalist appeal. Additionally, the steel dauphine-style hands are polished and legible, perfectly complementing the somber dial. The other contrasting elements are the white railroad minute track on the dial’s perimeter and the similar track on the seconds sub-dial. Oh, and there’s the brand’s wordmark as well.
The carefully considered Quantra case
The Quantra case is crafted from 316L stainless steel and features a polished and brushed finish that highlights the contours of its design. It offers lovely, reserved proportions for most wrist sizes with its 36mm, diameter, 10.5mm thickness, and 44mm length. The 20mm lug spacing ensures compatibility with a wide range of straps, adding to its versatility.
My favorite element of the Quantra case is the recessed finish on the sides. These sections are CNC machined and then sandblasted for the distinctive inner-surface texture. Once the sandblasting is complete, the case undergoes polishing and brushing in specific areas before receiving both a surface-hardening and anti-fingerprint coating. Lovely stuff! The case’s finishing is excellent, particularly for a watch in this price bracket. It offers crisp transitions between polished and brushed surfaces, reflecting a level of precision often reserved for more expensive watches. With its push-pull crown, this case is water resistant to 50 meters, making the watch suitable for most situations you’ll encounter every day.
Excellent straps as standard
As with the Alcadus Dromo and Opus V2, the leather straps included with the Quantra Type 02 are excellent. Alcadus has once again delivered supple, well-crafted straps that feel luxurious and comfortable right out of the box. Microbrands often cut corners on strap quality, but Alcadus remains committed to providing a premium experience. At this price point, I’ve seen other brands scrimp on inferior-quality straps that dampened the initial unboxing experience (even if I intended to swap them out). In the case of Alcadus, I’d be inclined to leave these watches on the stock straps because they’re excellent right out of the box.
You can choose one of three straps. All are the same soft, textured French leather with tone-on-tone stitching to match, but you get a choice of brown/tan, black, and gray. Fortunately, I had all three options to test out, but I found my favorites for each watch. I felt the Quantra Type 01 Silver looked best with the gray strap, followed by the black one. For the Type 02 Anthracite, black was the winner, followed by brown/tan. That said, due to the 20mm lug spacing, I’m certain you can play around with straps from your existing collection.
Micro-rotor goodness in the Quantra
At the heart of the Quantra Type 01 and 02 is a regulated Hangzhou 5015A automatic micro-rotor movement. This movement provides an ample 42-hour power reserve, and the micro-rotor winding system allows for a slim case profile, which is a nice bonus. Decoration-wise, it features Geneva striping on the bridges and perlage on the baseplate. The gold-colored micro rotor adds a touch of opulence, befitting for a dressier watch. Finally, blue screws round out the decoration. Alcadus doesn’t specify any exact accuracy rating of its movements, but I noticed no noteworthy deviation during my time with the watches.
Finding a watch with a micro-rotor at this price point is a pleasant surprise. I’ve been aware of the Hangzhou movements for a while, and they’re not especially new per se. Still, from a value perception, Swiss micro-rotor watches usually command a hefty premium, so having the option in the more affordable price segment is only good for consumers. The traditional decoration is also undoubtedly a good match with the style of the watch, so it’s a big thumbs up from me. I have nothing negative to say about the movement choice here.
A four-year warranty? Say no more!
The Quantra Type 02 Anthracite sits in a competitive segment. Still, it stands out for its design, build quality, and thoughtful details. In many ways, it scratches the same itch as a Grand Seiko, particularly with its clean dial design (but perhaps not the classic GS textures) and excellent finishing, albeit at a fraction of the cost. The 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. A final point of note here: Alcadus provides a fantastic four-year warranty on all its products. Yes, four years. Per the Alcadus website, this covers “mechanical faults of the movement and promises a free watch case replacement for any damage from daily wear and accident.” You can’t ask for fairer than that!
Final thoughts on the 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. From the unboxing experience to the quality of the case, dial, and straps, every aspect of the watches reflects a level of thoughtfulness and refinement rarely seen among the more affordable microbrands. The attention to detail, particularly in the finishing and design, sets the Alcadus Quantra apart from many of its peers.
This watch is a testament to Alcadus’s evolution as a brand. The Quantra delivers an experience that rivals far more expensive watches. If you’re looking for a watch that combines style, functionality, and exceptional value, perhaps the Quantra Type 01 or Type 02 deserves a place on your wrist. For a price of US$635 at the time of writing (though they’re due to increase to US$749 at some point), there’s not much I can grumble about.
As always, I’m interested in your thoughts and comments. What do you like (or dislike) about the Quantra? Also, if you have any specific strap pairings to suggest, let me know!
