Founded by Rob McQuaide in 2023, McQuaide Watches is still a relatively young name in the independent watch world. But in just a few years, the brand has developed a very distinctive identity, with Damascus steel becoming one of its defining elements. Having had the chance to get to know Rob along the way, I’ve also enjoyed seeing how the brand has developed from those early beginnings.
My own McQuaide journey started with the Q1 Obsidian. (see below)
If you’ve read my review of the McQuaide Q1 Obsidian, you’ll know how much I enjoyed that watch. It wasn’t just another overbuilt dive watch, it had a personality of its own. The Damascus steel case, the unapologetically rugged design, and the sheer amount of character made it one of my favourite tool watches. Over the past year, it has remained one of the pieces I reach for whenever I want something different.
To be honest, I don’t really keep track of how often I wear each watch, but if I had to guess, the Q1 was probably the one that spent the most time on my wrist last year.
I’ve also had the chance to get to know Rob, along the way. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about independent watch brands: getting to know the person behind the watches and seeing the passion that goes into what they create.
In that review, I also covered the history and manufacturing process of Damascus steel in detail, so I won’t repeat it all here. The short version is that every case is unique, with layered patterns created during the forging process, giving each watch its own individual character.
So when the C1 collection was introduced, I was immediately interested. It carries the same DNA as the Q1, but instead of being a 1000-metre dive watch, it takes a completely different approach. The C1 is cleaner, more versatile, and designed as an everyday sports watch that can transition effortlessly from casual to dressier occasions.
The C1 is available in four colourways: Sunburst, with a yellow dial; Solstice, in red; Evergreen, in green; and Midnight, with the black dial featured in this review.
While I suspect the Sunburst will be the most popular of the four, I went for the Midnight. For me, it makes the most sense as a versatile sports watch with a slightly dressier character. It can easily work with a suit, but is just as at home going for a swim, heading to the gym, or simply wearing it every day. It covers almost any situation I could realistically ask from an everyday watch.
The Damascus Steel Case
Damascus steel has become the signature material here, and for good reason.
Each case is crafted from 36 layers of 316L and 304L stainless steel, forged together to create Damascus steel. Through a meticulous process of heating, folding, pressing, and finishing with a twist, every case develops its own distinctive laddered pattern. The result is that no two watches are ever alike.
On the C1, the Damascus steel patterns really become the star of the show. The smooth 39mm cushion case allows the material to take centre stage, giving the watch a refined look. As the angle changes, the intricate layers reveal themselves, with the flowing patterns catching the eye and creating a different appearance depending on how the case catches the light. The precision in shaping both the case and bezel is evident in every detail.
And this is what I really love about the Damascus steel on this model. Every time I put it on my wrist, I find myself looking at the case, checking the patterns, knowing that no two cases are exactly the same which makes it feel genuinely personal. It’s one of those details that I never seem to get tired of looking at, even after spending plenty of time with the watch.
First Impressions & Unboxing
The C1 arrives in a compact presentation box. The packaging is good, well made, and practical, without taking attention away from the watch itself. The smaller size also makes it easy to store, while still making the unboxing feel like a proper introduction to the watch.
Inside, you also get the warranty documentation and a certificate for the Damascus steel, which is a nice touch given that every case has its own unique pattern.
The first thing that struck me was how different this one feels despite sharing the same material. The Q1 immediately announces itself as a serious dive watch. The C1 is more understated. Smaller, slimmer, and significantly lighter at only 75 grams, it immediately feels like a watch designed for daily wear. I would say this is a dressier sport watch.
The Dial
The Midnight version features a deep black sunray dial that changes dramatically depending on the light.
In bright sunlight, the brushing becomes obvious, creating beautiful radial reflections. Indoors, however, the dial almost disappears into a rich black surface, giving the watch a stealthier appearance.
Photographing it proved surprisingly difficult. Despite the anti-reflective sapphire crystal doing its job, the combination of the glossy sunray finish and dark colour reflects almost everything around it. Thankfully, this is much less noticeable in person, where legibility remains excellent.
One design choice I particularly like is the mix of applied indices and printed Arabic numerals. While the hour markers are applied, the 3, 6, 9, and 12 numerals are printed, creating a clean, balanced layout that never feels cluttered. It gives the dial a subtle Explorer-esque vibe, without feeling like a copy. It’s a timeless formula that simply works.
The subtle red tip on the sweeping seconds hand adds just enough colour to break up the monochrome design without feeling forced. Look a little closer and you’ll also notice the claw-shaped counterbalance on the seconds hand, a clever signature detail that gives the watch a bit more personality and ties in nicely with McQuaide’s identity.
The C1 has BGW9 Super-LumiNova on the hands, applied indices, and Arabic numerals, providing excellent legibility across the entire dial in low-light conditions.
In daylight, the lume appears crisp white with a slight silvery tone, keeping the dial clean and balanced. Once darkness sets in, it transforms into a bright blue-green glow. Even a brief exposure is enough to charge it quickly, delivering impressive brightness and lasting well into the night.
It is a great example of how the watch balances its refined appearance with the practical qualities expected from a watch carrying McQuaide’s tool-watch DNA.
The Movement
Powering the C1 is the tried-and-tested Sellita SW200-1b.
With 26 jewels, a beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and approximately 38 hours of power reserve, it isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel and that’s exactly why it’s such a sensible choice.
The SW200 has built a reputation for reliability, serviceability and consistent performance. It’s a movement that watch enthusiasts know and trust.
Turn the watch over and the exhibition caseback allows a clear view of the movement, framed by another engraved Damascus steel component that reminds you this isn’t an ordinary stainless-steel watch.
Comfort and wearability
The 39mm cushion case wears beautifully thanks to its compact 46mm lug-to-lug measurement, while the 75-gram weight makes it incredibly comfortable for all-day wear. On my 17 cm wrist, it sits almost perfectly. I even took it with me on a hike, and it remained comfortable from start to finish, light enough that I never really noticed it was there, yet substantial enough to remind me I was wearing a well-built mechanical watch.
The supplied leather strap is soft from day one and complements the overall design perfectly. It reinforces what the C1 is trying to be, a versatile everyday watch rather than a dedicated tool watch.
The screw-down crown
Despite its refined appearance, the C1 is still built with everyday durability in mind. The watch offers 100 metres of water resistance, making it suitable for daily wear and most situations you would realistically encounter. The screw-down crown adds an extra layer of protection, helping keep moisture and the elements at bay.
I genuinely love the bold Damascus steel crown on this one. It’s larger than what you’d normally see on a dressier watch, but that extra size makes it incredibly easy to operate and gives it plenty of visual presence. It doesn’t feel oversized or out of place instead, it adds to the C1’s unique character and is another small reminder that, beneath the refined exterior, there’s still a strong tool-watch DNA.
In real life, this combination means you don’t have to worry too much about taking the C1 through everyday challenges. From tropical storms in Vietnam to unexpected rain showers, swimming in the sea, or spending a day by the pool, it is more than capable of handling these situations. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend treating it like a dedicated dive watch or pushing it beyond its intended limits, but it’s worth remembering that many vintage skin divers offered similar levels of water resistance, often without the added protection of a screw-down crown.
All in all, the C1 strikes a nice balance between refinement and practicality, making it a genuinely capable everyday watch.
Final thoughts
The C1 Midnight doesn’t replace the Q1 but complements it.
Where the Q1 is bold, uncompromising, and purpose-built for extreme capability, the C1 takes the same Damascus steel identity and packages it into something far more versatile. It can be worn with jeans, a shirt, or even a blazer without ever looking out of place.
Recently, I added a red leather strap to it ( you can see that on some of the photos), and it completely changed the character of the watch. The richer tone works beautifully with the subtle red tip of the seconds hand, creating a small but very satisfying connection between the strap and the dial.
One more note about the black sunray finish. As I mentioned earlier, it can be a little tricky to photograph because of how readily it picks up reflections. However, those same reflections can also work in its favour, creating some really interesting and creative shots. When they turn into soft bokeh across the dial, they can add another layer of character to the photos.
What impressed me most is that this watch isn’t simply a scaled-down dive watch. Instead, it has its own personality and identity, combining a more refined and versatile design with the distinctive Damascus steel craftsmanship that makes it stand out.
After wearing the C1 for quite some time now, I can honestly say I really love this watch. It’s incredibly comfortable on my wrist, a pleasure to wear throughout the day, and I still catch myself looking down at it just to admire the dial and those unique Damascus steel patterns. There is something genuinely special about wearing a piece that feels this individual. I have a feeling this is going to be a very long honeymoon.
And perhaps that’s why I’m even more curious about what comes next. If the Q1 introduced me to what McQuaide could do, the C1 has shown me that the brand is capable of much more than building exceptional dive watches. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Rob takes the brand next and I’m definitely along for the ride.
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Specifications:
- Material: Damascus steel (36 layers of 316L and 304L stainless steel)
- Case size: 39mm diameter, 12mm thick, 46mm lug to lug
- Dial: Deep midnight black sunray finish
- Crystal: Sapphire with AR coating
- Lume: BGW9 white emission Super-LumiNova® (blue-green)
- Movement: Sellita SW200-1B
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Weight: 75gramm
- Lug width: 22mm
- Price: 883 USD
Link to the watch:
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