Forging Beauty: The Art of Damascus Steel in Watchmaking

Discover the mesmerising journey behind Damascus Steel and how its unique patterns have inspired the only UK watch brand dedicated to this ancient art—McQuaide Watches.

 

How is Damascus Steel Made?

I’ve always been fascinated by Damascus Steel—its intricate, wavy patterns that seem almost magical. To truly appreciate this art, I ventured to Boneyard London, a renowned blacksmithing workshop celebrated for crafting high-quality, hand-forged creations.

 

A Hands-On Experience

Meeting the Master Blacksmith
The day began with an introduction to Dan and James at Boneyard London, the head blacksmith, who provided a rundown of what to expect. Donning gloves, a leather apron, and safety glasses, I was eager to dive into the world of forging.

Selecting the steels

We chose two high-carbon steels: 1084 and 15N20. Each strip—measuring approximately 5cm by 60cm—was meticulously cut and cleaned. These were then layered alternately into a 12-layer “steel sandwich”, which set the stage for the magic of Damascus Steel.

The Forging Process
Once heated to a blistering 1,000°C, the steel was fused using a 20-ton press, then passed through rollers to ensure even thickness. The billet, now a long and unified piece of Damascus Steel, underwent further refinement. After cooling and a repeat of cutting, welding, forging, and pressing, the layer count climbed to 36.

Creating the Signature Pattern

At this juncture, I had a choice: Random Damascus with organic, wavy lines or Laddered Damascus with structured, ladder-like patterns. I opted for Laddered to perfectly complement the design of the McQuaide Q1 watch.

 

The Twisting and Etching Process

• Twisting: The billet was twisted in a vice to form the iconic undulating patterns.
• Etching: Initially, the billet appeared as plain steel. Dan explained that immersing it in ferric chloride acid for just five seconds would reveal the secret—the nickel in 15N20 resists etching while the 1084 steel darkens, creating a dramatic contrast that brings the Damascus Steel pattern to life.

This contrast between the deep, dark layers and the bright, nearly silver ones is what makes Damascus Steel so visually striking, and it’s a testament to the incredible craftsmanship behind every McQuaide timepiece.

The Intersection of Craftsmanship and Watchmaking

Experiencing the process of creating Damascus Steel firsthand deepened my appreciation for the art of forging. It’s this blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative design that sets McQuaide apart as the only UK watch brand devoted to the beauty of Damascus Steel.

 

Whether you’re a seasoned watch enthusiast or just discovering the allure of finely crafted timepieces, understanding the heritage behind Damascus Steel adds a whole new layer of appreciation to your collection.

🎥 Check out the footage below to see the process in action!