In the rarefied air of the Luxury Watches industry, there exists an unspoken truth, a paradox that both frustrates and fascinates enthusiasts and retailers alike. It’s the phenomenon of the empty display case, the polite but firm denial, the phantom waitlist that stretches not for months, but for years. It’s a world where having the money to buy a coveted timepiece is often not enough. You need status, a purchase history, a relationship. You need to be behind the velvet rope. For decades, this has been the accepted, if lamented, state of affairs. But a seismic shift is underway, heralded by the strategic move of a true industry giant.
Peter Englehart, a name synonymous with prestige and excellence, whose career is a highlight reel of leadership at titans like Swarovski and the legendary Tiffany & Co., has made a move that has sent ripples through the horological community. He has joined Reklaim, a dynamic and ambitious player in the pre-owned watch market, as its new Vice President of Business Development and Sales. This isn’t merely a change of letterhead; it’s a statement of intent. It signals a conviction that the old model is broken and that technology, paired with deep industry knowledge, holds the key to unlocking a new era of access and opportunity.
To understand the magnitude of this move, one must first appreciate the landscape Englehart is setting out to change. He is a man who has lived and breathed luxury retail from the inside. “I’ve been a retailer of many fine watches for a lot of my career,” he reflects, his words carrying the weight of countless interactions with high-net-worth clients. He recalls a familiar ritual from his days on the showroom floor. “In my retail days, when we got certain models—those exceptionally rare, sought-after pieces—they didn’t go into the showcase. They went directly into the safe, and you immediately called your best customers.” This practice, born of scarcity, created an exclusive inner circle, leaving countless other potential buyers out in the cold.
Today, Englehart observes, that challenging situation has escalated into a full-blown crisis of accessibility. The demand, fueled by social media and a new generation of collectors viewing watches as alternative assets, has wildly outstripped the meticulously controlled supply from heritage brands.
His recent experience serves as a potent, real-world illustration. “I just came back from the show in Las Vegas,” he recounts, the frustration palpable in his voice. “Walking the Strip, surrounded by the world’s most opulent retailers, I could not have bought any new Rolex. Not a single one. I would have to be on a waitlist for as little as five weeks and as much as five years.” He pauses, letting the absurdity of the situation sink in. “Think about that. Industry veterans, passionate collectors, affluent individuals—guys like me can’t just walk in the door and buy a Daytona. And we’re going to change that.”
This bold proclamation is the mission statement of Reklaim. Founded in 2022 through a potent partnership between tech entrepreneur Kamran Razavi and seasoned watch wholesaler James Thomas, Reklaim was conceived to solve this very problem. It represents the fusion of two worlds: the intricate, relationship-driven domain of luxury timepieces and the scalable, data-driven power of modern technology. The company operates on two fronts, serving its network of retail partners while also maintaining a direct-to-consumer site, but its core innovation lies in its B2B approach.
Reklaim’s power source is twofold. First, it has cultivated what it describes as “a vast network of global aggregators,” a meticulously vetted web of suppliers, collectors, and dealers. This network provides Reklaim with unparalleled access to an ocean of inventory, valued at over $10 billion in used timepieces and handbags. It’s a virtual vault that contains the very models missing from authorized dealers’ showcases.
Second, and perhaps more crucially, is the proprietary technology that acts as the brain of the operation. Englehart explains that Reklaim’s AI-based platform is the engine that transforms this massive inventory from a chaotic sea of assets into a strategic tool for retailers. “This is leveraging technology to solve what has been a challenge for consumers and for the retailers,” he asserts. The platform is designed to give retailers unprecedented control and precision in curating their pre-owned watch selection.
The traditional method for a local jeweler to source pre-owned watches was often haphazard and time-consuming, relying on a handful of known dealers, risky auction buys, or inconsistent trade-ins. Reklaim’s model flips this script entirely. “Our business model is built on shopping specifically for individual retailers,” Englehart elaborates. “We don’t just push inventory at them. We pull the right inventory for them.”
The process is consultative and deeply personalized. The Reklaim team, now bolstered by Englehart’s immense experience, works directly with a retailer to understand their unique market. “We consult with them to determine the inventory that makes sense in their retail environment,” he says. “What makes sense for where they are geographically, for their client demographics? A jeweler in Miami may have a clientele that desires flashier, yellow gold sports models, while a store in Boston might see more success with classic, understated dress watches on leather straps. And we build the assortment out that way.”
This AI-powered curation allows a retailer to essentially create a virtual, bespoke inventory that perfectly mirrors their customers’ tastes, without the immense capital risk of purchasing all that stock upfront. They can present a far wider and more desirable selection than their physical showcase could ever hold, instantly sourcing a specific Patek Philippe Calatrava or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak that a top client is searching for. It transforms them from a passive recipient of whatever watches come their way into a proactive, powerful sourcing agent for their community. This is how Reklaim plans to “change that”—by empowering the independent retailer to compete with the biggest players, leveling the playing field with data and access.
Englehart’s journey to Reklaim makes him the perfect evangelist for this new model. His long and storied résumé is a testament to his deep understanding of every facet of the luxury market. His time at the iconic Boston jeweler Shreve, Crump & Low gave him the foundational, on-the-ground perspective of a traditional retailer. At Tiffany & Co., he was immersed in a culture of ultimate brand prestige and uncompromising quality. His leadership roles at Swarovski, including its successful charm brand Chamilia, provided mastery in global brand management and scaling operations. This diverse background gives him a unique 360-degree view of the industry’s challenges and opportunities. He isn’t a tech founder trying to understand luxury; he is a luxury titan embracing technology.
The timing for Reklaim’s ascent could not be better. The pre-owned watch market is no longer a niche corner for bargain hunters; it is a booming, multi-billion dollar industry in its own right. Today’s consumers are more sophisticated than ever. They are drawn to the secondary market for a variety of reasons: the value proposition, the pursuit of discontinued or “neo-vintage” models with unique character, and a growing interest in sustainability and the circular economy. For many, a pre-owned luxury watch is not a second-best option; it is the smarter, more interesting choice.
By professionalizing this space, Reklaim provides a crucial layer of trust and reliability that has often been missing. They are tackling the chaos of the “gray market” head-on, offering authenticated, high-quality pieces through a transparent and efficient platform. For retailers, this means they can confidently offer pre-owned watches to their clients, knowing they are backed by a reliable partner. For consumers, it means the treasure hunt for their dream watch is no longer a perilous journey, but an exciting and accessible one.
Peter Englehart’s decision to join forces with Kamran Razavi and James Thomas is more than just a high-profile hire. It is the convergence of legacy and innovation, of seasoned wisdom and disruptive technology. It is a validation of Reklaim’s vision and a clear signal that the future of luxury retail will not be dictated by scarcity, but defined by access. The velvet rope that has long cordoned off the world’s most desirable timepieces is not just being pulled back; it is being dismantled, one data point, one satisfied retailer, and one dream watch at a time.
