SquarC.

Thirty-five millimetres. I almost dismissed the Maven SquarC on that number alone.

I usually feel most at home around 38–40mm, and a very compact round case rarely tempts me. This one, though, isn't round. Its softly squared shape was enough to make me curious, even before I had it on my wrist.

The photographs came first, as they always do. Chocolate brown, muted steel, dark leather and one beautifully cheeky orange seconds hand. I could already see why it might be fun to photograph. Whether I'd actually enjoy wearing it was another question.

One day on the wrist answered that rather nicely. I expected to appreciate the design, take my pictures and move on. Instead, I found myself wanting to wear it again. Not quite the outcome I'd predicted.

Maven calls it the SquarC. It's a pleasingly odd name for a case that sits somewhere between square and round. In the hand, that shape looks far more considered than the name might suggest.

The 43mm lug-to-lug length and 11.5mm thickness tell only part of the story. The rounded shoulders carry the body of the watch out towards the strap, while the lugs seem to grow from the case rather than jutting out of it. There's a nice, uninterrupted line to the whole thing.

The matte 316L steel has a soft, grey appearance under my studio lighting. It doesn't compete with the dial or throw distracting reflections across every surface. A gently domed sapphire crystal adds just enough depth at the front.

Photographing it from the side made me appreciate that restraint. The shape is unusual, certainly, but there's nothing awkward or exaggerated about it. The details are doing the work.

I chose the brown version, and I'm glad I did. Under controlled studio lighting the dial turns a rich coffee brown; outdoors, surrounded by autumn leaves, the warmer chocolate tones come out to play.

Even-numbered Arabic numerals alternate with slim hour markers. There's a fine minute track, a small date at three and just enough lettering to identify the watch without turning the dial into a noticeboard.

And then there's that orange seconds hand. Against the brown and cream it is a tiny flash of personality, just enough to stop an otherwise restrained design becoming overly polite. The warm 'AUTOMATIC' lettering is a thoughtful little echo.

My favourite thing about the dial is its balance. There's space to breathe, but it never feels empty. Up close, everything has its place, and the photographs reward you for looking twice.

One of my pet annoyances is an ugly gap between a leather strap and the case. Once I've noticed one, that's it. I can't unsee it.

The SquarC gets this right. Its dark leather sits close between the lugs, following the shape rather than looking like an afterthought. The case and strap belong together, which is a small but surprisingly satisfying detail.

It's soft to wear and dark brown enough to appear almost black in certain light. I like the contrast with the chocolate dial. A perfectly matched brown strap might have been a touch too much of a good thing.

The 20mm quick-release fitting makes changes straightforward in principle. I haven't felt the need. When a supplied strap looks and feels this appropriate, I'm inclined to leave it alone.

Behind the engraved steel caseback sits the Miyota 8215, a familiar Japanese automatic movement. It's a perfectly sensible engine, even if it isn't the sort of calibre that'll have movement enthusiasts reaching for their wallets on specification alone.

Miyota quotes 21,600 vibrations per hour, 21 jewels and roughly 42 hours of power reserve. Hand winding and a quick-set date cover the everyday essentials.

I haven't carried out a controlled accuracy or power-reserve test, so I'm not going to dress up an ordinary wearing experience as laboratory research. I can only judge what I've used, and this watch isn't trying to sell itself on a glamorous movement.

The domed sapphire crystal is a welcome inclusion, while 50m water resistance makes sense for normal day-to-day wear. I wouldn't mistake it for a purpose-built dive watch, and I doubt Maven expects anyone to.

This was the bit that surprised me most. Not because the watch suddenly looked enormous, but because it sat naturally enough that I stopped trying to assess it.

The cushion shape spreads the visual weight without leaving the lugs hanging over the edges. The leather follows the wrist comfortably, and the matte steel doesn't demand attention every time my arm moves.

Even alongside my usual bracelets it looks like it belongs. It's understated, but not anonymous. I caught myself glancing at that brown dial throughout the day, and it had nothing to do with checking the time.

A watch can be technically impressive and still feel wrong when you put it on. This one did the opposite. The comfortable fit and the little details made a far more persuasive argument than the spec sheet had managed.

At around £250 at normal UK retail, the SquarC has plenty of competition. And let's address the obvious: a Miyota 8215 isn't the most exciting movement you can find at this price. If buying a watch is purely a contest of calibre specifications, this probably won't top your list.

But a watch isn't a movement sold with a case attached. Here, the shape, finish, dial and strap all feel part of the same idea. Nothing looks bolted on to satisfy a marketing checklist.

The sapphire is welcome, the leather is genuinely pleasant and the design has more character than I'd expected from such a restrained little watch. Those things matter to me every time I put it on.

At its usual asking price, I think the design makes a fair case for itself. It won't win every specification comparison, but there's more to value than winning a spreadsheet.

That 35mm figure very nearly put me off. I'm glad I ignored my first reaction.

The dial is lovely, the orange seconds hand is exactly the right amount of trouble, and the muted cushion case feels designed rather than merely styled. Best of all, the strap fits the watch properly. You'd be surprised how often that detail gets overlooked.

It remains a compact watch, and if you love a large, imposing case it probably isn't going to convert you. Nor does the movement offer an obvious reason to choose it over every other automatic in this price bracket.

But I've worn it, photographed it and kept coming back to it. The SquarC has a personality that's difficult to capture in dimensions alone. For me, that's the reason it stays.

A keeper. Against my better judgement.

A beautifully restrained brown dial. Quiet matte steel. An understated leather strap.

Naturally, the LEGO department arrived to inspect it. Chewbacca took charge immediately. The other two seemed rather less impressed by his credentials.

Nobody has explained why the Wookiee thinks the watch belongs to him.