Dan Henry is a prominent watch collector and entrepreneur best known as the founder of the eponymous watch brand, Dan Henry Watches. Born in Brazil, Henry’s interest in horology began in childhood, sparked by a fascination with mechanical objects that functioned without external power. By the age of 15, he had already amassed a collection of more than 30 timepieces, including early acquisitions like a Casio Game 10 and a Seiko Giugiaro, as well as a Universal Polerouter gifted by his grandfather.

Henry’s career as a serious collector took shape in the late 1990s. Leveraging the emergence of online auction sites and eBay, he dedicated himself to sourcing vintage watches, often spending many hours a day researching and trading. Over more than 30 years, he built an extensive collection of over 1,500 vintage timepieces, ranging from accessible curiosities to rare museum-grade pieces. In 2016, he launched Timeline.Watch, an interactive digital archive designed to share the historical details and high-resolution imagery of his collection with the global watch community.

The transition from collector to manufacturer occurred in September 2016 with the launch of Dan Henry Watches. Driven by the increasing scarcity and rising prices of vintage classics, Henry sought to create “new vintage” timepieces that captured the aesthetic spirit of specific eras—such as the 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, and 1970s—while remaining affordable for enthusiasts. His brand is noted for its “value proposition,” utilizing modern production techniques and reliable movements, often quartz or Seiko automatic calibers, to offer vintage-inspired designs without the maintenance risks associated with actual antique watches.

Based in the United States but with manufacturing roots involving specialists in Hong Kong and China, Henry remains deeply involved in the design process. He personally oversees the development of each model, often incorporating personal touches like case back engravings of historical symbols, such as the Lockheed Blackbird or an Aston Martin DB5. Today, Dan Henry continues to be an active figure in the horological world, balancing his roles as a dedicated collector, historian, and director of his independent watch brand.