If the Alcadus name sounds familiar, it’s because they went the Kickstarter route about a year ago, but unfortunately they didn’t hit their funding goals. Rather than folding up shop in the face of adversity, they continued on with their plans, and now have their watches up for pre-order on their site. Recently, some review units made their rounds through here, and we can give you our take on the Alcadus Opus 39.
While the Alcadus Opus 39 has a definite vintage/dress watch feel, there is no doubting that there is a healthy aviation watch influence. This is most evident in the Flieger-style handset, and the arrow on the seconds hand (and at 12 o’clock) that looks – to my eye – like a stylized airplane. It keeps things minimal, in terms of those plane influences – so I think it presents an open door to those who might not otherwise consider an aviator-style watch.
I felt that the dials on the Alcadus Opus 39 were pretty special as well. The black and white dials are very, very glossy (giving it the look of an enameled dial), while the grey dial has a different surprise up it’s sleeve (it’s fully lumed; lume shots are in the gallery below). You’ll also notice another smaller detail running around the edge of the dial, a minutes/seconds track. It’s easy to miss as the light curving in the boxed crystal can hide it, but its’ a nice touch to add interest to the dial.
Then again, I am all about that glossy look on the Alcadus Opus 39. Yes, it was the grey dial that got me at first, but it was – ultimately – the crisp white with the blue accents that spent the most time on my wrist. That one was mostly on the included steel bracelet (which I found to be quite comfortable), but it also went onto the straps. Bracelet, straps, these are all with quick-change spring bars, which I’ve really come to like more and more. Not that using a spring bar tool is difficult (especially with the drilled lugs) – but anything that makes it easier is, well, easier.
Basically, I found a lot to like around the front side of the Alcadus Opus 39, in all three of the dial colors. Around back, you’ll notice a flashy gold-tone, custom rotor spinning around on an ETA 2824-2. The first versions they produce will contain an elabore grade movement.
Given that movement – and the dial finishing, and the boxed sapphire crystal – you’d be correct to assume that the Alcadus Opus 39 is coming in a bit higher than most new micro-brands that we see hitting. That said, the discounted price of $627 (against an MSRP of around $900) sounds like a pretty fair price to me. And while things are in a pre-order mode at the moment, there are a few available for immediate shipping right now. Oh, and worth noting? For that price, you get the bracelet and a second leather strap (of your choice), as well as a leather watch roll, so you’ll be well set for your spend. Check out the details over at alcadus.com
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: Alcadus Opus 39
- Price: $627 (pre-order; MSRP is anticipated ~$900)
- Who we think it might be for: You want a classy vintage-look piece that can be casual or dressy, with all the accoutrements that modern manufacturing brings to bear
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: I could see the white dial variant on the bracelet (and the backup grey suede strap) as a very, very versatile piece
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: While the boxed crystal is a cool look, maybe play with a flatter crystal for an even more-compact version. Or, ooh, a cyclops mounted under the crystal.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: Got to be those clean, elegant dials
Tech Specs from Alcadus
Case
316L Stainless Steel with scratch-resistant coating, brushed finish with polished bezel
Dial
Jet Black – Black Lacquered Finish (Glossy), Phantom Grey – Full-lumed (Matte), Argent White – White Lacquered Finish (Glossy)
Hands
Sword style hours hand, baton style minutes hand and custom seconds hand with ALCADUS Logo. All covered in a photo-luminescent coating except the Grey full-lumed dial version. Flame-blued hands on white dial version.
Luminescent
Swiss Super-LumiNova® on dial, hands and crown
Movement
ETA 2824-2 (elaboré) with customized skeletonized rotor
Lens
Box sapphire on top (with 5 layers of clear AR coating), flat sapphire on display see-through caseback
Included Straps
Stainless steel bracelet,, premium Italian leather straps / nubuck strap
Water Resistance
100 meters / 10 ATM / 333 ft
Dimensions
39 x 45.5mm
Thickness
13.3mm (including 2mm thick box sapphire crystal)
Lug width
20mm (with drilled lug holes)
Crown
Screw-down, engraved ALCADUS logo with Luminescent applied
Warranty
2 + 1 years
Extras
Integrated rubber strap (stretch goal)
