In 1949, Henning Stæhr cycled around Copenhagen with a suitcase full of watch bracelets and straps. He visited watchmakers and goldsmiths in person and presented the products he could vouch for. Relationships were created face to face, and quality was not up for discussion.
More than 75 years later, the foundation is the same – however, the market has changed significantly. Today, preowned luxury watches are a growing segment, where the demands for documentation, authenticity and technical condition are higher than ever. Therefore, the launch of Stæhr Preowned Watches in 2025 was not a random step for us. It was a natural development of a long industry history.
A foundation built on professionalism and relationships
Henning Stæhr A/S was founded with a clear ambition: to deliver high quality products and build long-term relationships in the watch industry.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s we grew steadily, and from the 60s to the 80s we became a significant player as a watch wholesaler in Denmark. Agencies and collaborations with international manufacturers further strengthened our position. Among the brands represented have been players from the Swatch Group as well as brands such as TAG Heuer, Omega and Tissot.
Today we are led by the third generation and operate in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Our experience in distribution and cooperation with some of the industry's most established manufacturers has given us in-depth knowledge of product quality, technical standards and market development. It is precisely this experience that forms the framework for our work with preowned watches.
A dedicated universe for preowned enthusiasts
With the establishment of Stæhr Preowned, we have created a specialized and professionally anchored universe for buyers of preowned luxury watches. The initiative stems from a shared passion for horology and respect for the history of watches, while also building on a structured approach to assessment and quality assurance.
Behind the venture is a dedicated team of professionals with extensive experience in the industry. From appraisal and sales specialists to experienced watchmakers and marketing managers. Each watch undergoes a thorough process where it is selected, verified and serviced so that authenticity, technical condition and overall quality meet the requirements.
The range includes only high-end models from manufacturers such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Cartier and Audemars Piguet. The selection is made with a focus on quality over volume, and each watch is assessed with the same professional thoroughness that has characterized us since the beginning.
History as our guide
Since 1949, we have evolved from cycling with a suitcase full of watch bands to a Scandinavian player with a specialized preowned universe. The development has been significant, but our fundamental approach remains the same: to deliver products we can stand behind and to build relationships based on trust and professionalism.
Regardless of whether we work with distribution or preowned, the requirements are the same. Quality must be documented, the technical work must be thorough, and the advice must be responsible. That was the starting point in 1949 – and that is still what we work towards today.
Do you need help with a new preowned watch?
Working with preowned watches requires experience, documentation and technical insight. This applies both when a watch is to be sold on and when it is to find its next owner. For us, it is about ensuring a process where both assessment, review and advice are thoroughly worked out from start to finish.
If you are considering selling, exchanging or investing in a preowned watch, we will help you with a professionally based and transparent process. We take both you and the watch as our starting point, and ensure that the solution is durable, documented and responsible.
Read much more here.