The 1916 Company Opens First Branded Showroom

By Karen Dybis | June 16, 2025

The first showroom opened by the 1916 Company since it was formed from the merger of several watch and jewelry brands highlights how the company hopes to make its stores community gathering spaces.

The showroom at 102 E. Montgomery Ave. in Ardmore, Pa. (in the Philadelphia area) comes in at 7,500 square feet and features a large, landscaped outdoor space where people can hang out and the retailer can host events, says John Shmerler, global CEO of the 1916 Company.

“It’s a generous piece of property with a luxury of space. We put the parking on the side rather than the front because we wanted that gathering space,” Shmerler says. “We hope over time to host many parties and encourage our partners to do the same.”

1916 Philly exterior — *The new 1916 Company showroom put its parking to the side to create a large gathering space in front of the store for community and store events.*

The 1916 Company worked with its longtime architectural partner, Eric Lewis of Baltimore’s E/Line Architecture, to design the Ardmore showroom. Inside, the interior uses a variety of materials such as stone, wood, marble, and mosaics to add texture and interest to the space. Lewis designed the elaborate lighting installation to cast warm hues on the watches and jewelry for maximum sparkle, Shmerler says.

The floor plan also includes seating areas for clients to learn more about the 1916 Company, to engage in conversation with the showroom team, and to enjoy talking about their watch collection or new piece of fine jewelry, he adds.

“From the moment you arrive, we aim to make an impact from the landscaping to the lighting,” Shmerler says. “We’re more than just a store; we’re a part of the community—a place where our clients can celebrate milestones that matter most, all while feeling comfortable and welcomed.”

Watches are the heart of the 1916 Company, so the Ardmore store features a variety of leading watchmakers, Shmerler says. The anchor is the Rolex space, which has an elegant showroom, a VIP lounge with Rolex green couches, and a private salon.

1916 Philly Rolex — *The new Rolex space within the 1916 Company’s Ardmore store is designed to be elegant yet also a space where watch lovers can come together to chat.*

“We wanted something upscale yet approachable. You can come in fully dressed in a suit and tie or in workout clothing,” Shmerler says.

The Ardmore showroom also has special spaces dedicated to watch brands Tudor, Breitling, IWC, Chopard, and H. Moser & Cie. Another space called the Horology Lounge showcases independent watchmaker De Bethune.

Jewelry brands such as Mikimoto also have a dedicated space as fine jewelry is a growing part of the 1916 Company’s story in stores and online, Shmerler says. To show its fine-jewelry commitment, the Ardmore showroom has more than 100 feet of jewelry displays highlighting both classic and contemporary design, Shmerler says. Other brands it carries include Kwiat, Rahaminov, Roberto Coin, and Temple St. Clair.

1916 Company Ardmore — *The 1916 Company showroom in Ardmore shows the balance between watches and fine jewelry that the brand is seeking to create.*

With the opening of this new location, the 1916 Company is reaffirming its commitment to the legacy of Govberg Jewelers, founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and earning recognition as a trusted name in fine watches and jewelry, Shmerler says. In 2023, Govberg Jewelers merged with Watchbox, Radcliffe Jewelers, and Hyde Park Jewelers to form the 1916 Company, which now has 20 showrooms globally.

Interestingly, Govberg had looked at the very piece of ground where the 1916 Company’s showroom is now back in the 1980s. At that time, it was a bridal store and not ready to sell. Forty years later, the location is ideal for what the 1916 Company hopes to achieve with all of its retail locations, Shmerler says.

“We’re a national company now, but we have aspirations to grow into other markets and new locations,” Shmerler says. “Our road map and our game plan is to feel like a local retailer and not follow a cookie-cutter template. You won’t walk into our stores and feel they’re interchangeable.”

Top: The 1916 Company cofounder Danny Govberg (left) and Global CEO John Shmerler (right) attended the grand opening of the brand’s Ardmore showroom in June (photos courtesy of the 1916 Company).