Alcadus Quantra Turns Stone and Mother-of-Pearl Into the Main Event

Alcadus has built its name in the microbrand space with small-batch watches aimed at collectors who like their design choices a little less predictable.

The latest Quantra editions lean fully into that idea, pairing a compact stainless steel case with dials that do far more than sit quietly in the background.

There are two clear personalities here, with translucent gemstone dials on one side and guilloché mother-of-pearl on the other.

Alcadus brings collector-grade dial play to the Quantra

Alcadus was founded by Yook Hong in 2018 after an early interest in Seiko modding grew into a desire to create complete watch designs rather than work within another brand’s platform.

The name combines ideas drawn from the Latin words for noble and cadence, which fits a brand that has largely focused on low-volume watches with a deliberate design rhythm.

The new Quantra models use the same basic case architecture as the 2024 Quantra series, but the dials are the clear reason these watches exist.

At 36mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick, the watch sits in the compact, vintage-influenced part of the market that’s been enjoying a strong return among enthusiasts.

The 44mm lug-to-lug measurement gives it a bit more wrist presence than the diameter alone suggests, so it shouldn’t read as tiny unless the wearer strongly prefers modern oversized cases.

The gemstone dials glow from beneath the stone

The Gemstone line is the more unusual of the two, because each dial is cut thin enough to let light pass through it.

Instead of using that translucency to feed a solar cell, Alcadus uses it in the opposite direction, placing Swiss Super-LumiNova beneath the stone so the whole dial can glow in low light.

The three versions are Green Jade, Purple Jade and Yellow Mellite.

Green Jade and Purple Jade sit in softer pastel territory, while Yellow Mellite is much more saturated, with a vivid yellow tone that gives the watch a distinctly warmer character.

The dial layout keeps things from becoming too formal.

A crosshair layout gives the display a sector-like feel, with Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock and dot markers at 3 and 9 o’clock.

That mix nudges the watch away from pure dress-watch territory and toward something more casual and practical, although the 50m water resistance keeps it short of being a true field watch.

Guilloché mother-of-pearl gets a modern treatment

The Guilloché MOP versions take a different route, using mother-of-pearl as a textured surface rather than simply relying on its natural iridescence.

That’s a notable choice, because mother-of-pearl is more often seen as a smooth decorative dial material than as a canvas for an intricate radiating pattern.

The pattern expands from an off-centre small seconds subdial, which gives the dial an asymmetry that feels more considered than decorative for decoration’s sake.

Alcadus uses CNC machining for the guilloché effect rather than traditional rose engines or straight-line engines.

That modern process allows the brand to create a precise texture while keeping the watch at a more accessible price.

The Guilloché MOP range includes Iris and Graphite.

Iris is the lighter, more classically iridescent option, while Graphite moves into a darker blue-grey register with a stormier look.

Micro-rotor movements keep the case slim

The two dial families use different movement references because of their seconds layouts.

The Guilloché MOP model uses the decorated Hangzhou 5100A with small seconds, while the Gemstone model uses the decorated Hangzhou 5015A with centre seconds.

Both are micro-rotor automatic movements, a choice that helps preserve the slim 10.5mm profile while leaving more of the movement visible through the exhibition caseback.

Each movement offers a 42-hour power reserve.

Alcadus has also regulated them to a stated accuracy of plus or minus 7 seconds per day, a meaningful tightening from the standard plus or minus 20 seconds per day figure associated with the base movement.

The Kickstarter pre-order window has closed, but the Quantra Gemstone and Guilloché MOP models are planned as part of the permanent collection at SGD S$1,160, or about £675.

First deliveries are expected in October 2026, placing these firmly in the slow-burn microbrand category rather than the impulse-buy end of watch collecting.

For collectors who want compact proportions, visible movement architecture and a dial that genuinely changes the personality of the watch, the new Quantra line makes a strong case without drifting into overcomplication.

Quantra details at a glance

FAQ

How much is the Alcadus Quantra Gemstone or Guilloché MOP watch?

The planned permanent-collection price is SGD S$1,160, approximately £675. The Kickstarter pre-order window has already closed, with first deliveries expected in October 2026.

What is the difference between the Alcadus Quantra Gemstone and Guilloché MOP models?

The Gemstone models use translucent Green Jade, Purple Jade or Yellow Mellite dials over Swiss Super-LumiNova for a full-dial glow. The Guilloché MOP models use textured mother-of-pearl in Iris or Graphite with an off-centre small seconds display.

What movement is inside the Alcadus Quantra Gemstone and Guilloché MOP?

The Gemstone version uses the decorated Hangzhou 5015A with centre seconds. The Guilloché MOP version uses the decorated Hangzhou 5100A with small seconds. Both are micro-rotor automatic movements with a 42-hour power reserve.

What size is the Alcadus Quantra case?

The stainless steel case measures 36mm across, 10.5mm thick and 44mm lug to lug. It’s compact by modern standards, but the lug-to-lug length gives it more wrist presence than the diameter suggests.

Is the Alcadus Quantra Gemstone a field watch?

It has a casual sector-style dial and 50m water resistance, but it isn’t a true field watch in the traditional sense. The design leans practical, while the stone dial and compact case keep it more collector-focused.