The Popularity. Retrograde complications have never been more popular, but long before Kickstarter brands and modern independents embraced them, Jean d'Eve had already taken the idea somewhere completely unexpected.
The Origin. The Quarta, introduced to the world at Baselworld in 1993, was the first of its kind. 12 hours, sectioned into quarters, with an intriguing "relay" retrograde system. Once the hour hand reaches the end of its quarter, it hands timekeeping duties to its neighbour before dutifully snapping back to the start, where it waits patiently for another nine hours.
The Design. The watch surrounding the complication is equally noteworthy. Like its shell-shaped Sectora Retrograde sibling, the Quarta wears its Art Deco influences proudly. The stepped, ziggurat case shape and geometrically busy but perfectly symmetrical dial give the watch an old-school charm.
The End. Jean d’Eve ultimately closed its doors in 2017, but its retrograde watches defiantly remain as part of the modern horological zeitgeist - with the Quarta proudly standing out as perhaps the most unusual one.
Specifications:
Condition: In great condition overall. No marks of any real significance.
All of our watches are inspected and verified for authenticity - both inside and out. We have over 15 years of sourcing and collecting rare watches in Japan, which is often considered to be one of the best markets for authentic and fully original vintage watches.
Do you ship globally?
We are based in Japan and regularly ship all over the world. We typically use FedEx and it takes:
3-7 business days to reach North America
3-7 business days to reach Europe
3-7 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.
All of our packages are securely shipped, fully insured, and trackable door-to-door.
Are all of your watches serviced?
Most but not all of our watches are serviced. The "Condition" section of each watch will confirm if the watch has been serviced.
All of our watches are tested by an independent watchmaker - if a service is needed, the watch will be serviced. If a service hasn't been conducted, it's because the watch itself is too new to need a service, or there is evidence of a recent service.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payment by all major Credit Cards and Wise.com
What condition are your watches?
Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of the watches we typically sell, the condition varies from watch to watch. However, our photos are high resolution and our descriptions are accurate. You can buy with confidence knowing there won't be any nasty surprises.
If the condition of a watch is ever misrepresented, we would offer a full refund.
Do I have to pay customs or taxes?
It depends on so many factors, including but not limited to the cost of the watch, the type of watch you've bought (vintage or new), and the import laws of your country. If you're unsure we recommend checking the import laws that relate to your country before ordering.
Are your watches water resistant?
Our serviced watches are typically tested to their original water resistant specifications, but we would never recommend pushing vintage or neo-vintage watches to their depth limits.
What is your returns policy?
Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of most of our watches, we do not offer returns under normal circumstances. All sales should be considered final.
