OUR ROLEX HISTORY
Henne Jewelers was founded in 1887 by Rudolph J. Henne. He and his wife, Margaret, made a $5 down payment on a building located at 6018 Centre Ave. in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh. And so began Henne Jewelers’ rich history of quality jewelry, customer experience, community involvement, and commitment to philanthropy.
Becoming a Pittsburgh Icon
In Henne’s early beginnings, they originally sold and repaired watches for the railroad industry, doubling as an optician, which was common practice at the time.
The family-owned business has evolved and grown over the past 137 years, surviving two World Wars and the Great Depression, the rise and fall of the Steel Industry in Pittsburgh, and the region's revival as an emerging tech hub thanks to more than a dozen colleges, universities, and nationally ranked healthcare systems.
Each decade brought changes to Henne as well, namely three storefronts and three more generations of Henne children who chose to inherit the family business. The Henne team has grown to more than 40 employees, including a dozen Rolex Advisors, accredited jewelry professionals, onsite bench jewelers, watchmaker, gemologists, appraisers, a Rolex Experience Liaison, numerous sales associates and support staff.
Becoming an Official Rolex Jeweler
Under John G. Henne's leadership, the business became an Official Rolex Jeweler in 1999 and is recognized as a Pittsburgh Rolex Authorized Repair Center - a reflection of Henne's commitment to the Rolex brand and its legacy of excellence. In 2017, John Henne was named to the Retailer Hall of Fame by National Jeweler Magazine, and Henne Jewelers is consistently recognized as the top jewelry store in Pittsburgh by residents and publications.
Henne Jewelers is proud of its Pittsburgh heritage, expertise and experience, but our legacy is our commitment to customers. The quality and value you'll find in our store is impressive, yet customers consistently talk about our personal approach and how we treat them like family. Whether you're shopping for an engagement ring, a gift for a loved one, or a Rolex timepiece, we are your jewelers for life.
Continuing the Henne Jewelers Legacy
In 2022, Henne began planning for an expansion at its current location in Shadyside. Construction took place throughout 2023, expanding Henne's footprint to three floors. Store features include a luxurious Rolex showroom, a second-floor bridal suite, ADA accessibility, private virtual selling spaces, a number of new luxury brands, and more than double the sales floor space. Henne Jewelers is poised to continue to serve customers from across the region for generations to come.
