New York based Waldan Watches has a pretty rich history in the watch space. One of its latest offerings is a colorful sport watch with a unique textured dial that looks miles ahead of its price point. The quartz watch features a linear oil pressed dial with thin baton hands and applied indices. The watch truly has a look dedicated to its design, and it doesn’t break the bank at $299 USD.

Watches under $500 run the gamut, from entry-level G-Shocks to lower-end offerings from big names like Seiko and Citizen, but my choice is something of a unique proposition at the price point: An American-assembled everyday watch that also happens to feature a fully USA-made quartz movement. The Waldan Heritage Sportline is that watch, and its classic good looks, just-right dimensions, and quality feel tick a lot of boxes at US$299.

Oscar Waldan’s story is one of tenacity, resilience and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds. He was a teenager in his native Poland during the early days of World War II, where the Nazis’ relentless conquest of Europe began. Sent to Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany and later the Theresienstadt concentration camp in then Czechoslovakia, Oscar would meet a Czech watchmaker named Manek who took him on as an apprentice. This encounter proved fortuitous. The camp guards confiscated all belongings from new prisoners arriving on the trains, and if there were any watches found, they would be taken to Manek and Oscar to repair.