(John Shmerler, CEO of The 1916 Company. (Photo: The 1916 Company)
In a rapidly evolving luxury market dominated by both century-old traditions and cutting-edge digital innovation, The 1916 Company emerges as a bold experiment—and a powerful statement. A fusion of legacy and modernity, this newly formed brand is revolutionizing how the world shops for fine jewelry and pre-owned luxury watches. But what truly sets The 1916 Company apart is not just its impressive product range or its global lounges—it’s the brand’s unique story: a startup born from over a century of heritage.
Let’s take a deep dive into the origins, strategy, and vision of The 1916 Company, and explore why this new-old player is set to disrupt the luxury retail landscape.
1. A Startup with Deep Roots: The Birth of The 1916 Company
To understand The 1916 Company, you must first understand its DNA. The company is not a typical newcomer. Instead, it’s a strategic merger of four esteemed retailers:
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Govberg Jewelers, founded in 1916 in Philadelphia
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WatchBox, a global platform for pre-owned watches launched in 2017
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Radcliffe Jewelers, a top-tier Maryland jeweler
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Hyde Park Jewelers, a Colorado luxury icon founded by Michael Pollak
This blend of legacy and innovation forms the foundation of what CEO John Shmerler calls a “109-year-old startup.”
2. The Power of Merger: More Than the Sum of Its Parts
By merging these four giants, The 1916 Company achieves what few retailers can: a broad and diverse luxury portfolio with a unified vision. The merger wasn't just about combining assets—it was about harmonizing strengths.
Govberg brought historical prestige, WatchBox contributed a global network of collectors and digital reach, Radcliffe added local expertise, and Hyde Park offered high-end retail experience.
This synergy now provides a one-stop destination for:
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High-end timepieces
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Estate and designer jewelry
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Pre-owned watch collecting
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Personalized luxury experiences
3. Adapting to Industry Trends: The Rolex Influence
The timing of the merger wasn't accidental. One major catalyst was Rolex’s launch of a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program in 2022, which signaled a shift in how luxury timepieces are bought and sold. The move created a new category of consumer demand—verified, high-quality, pre-owned watches sold through trusted platforms.
The 1916 Company capitalized on this moment by blending WatchBox’s CPO know-how with the trusted reputations of its brick-and-mortar jewelers, offering collectors confidence and convenience in one place.
(A bar area in The 1916 Company’s New York store. (The 1916 Company)
4. A Relationship-First Sales Model
One of the company’s most impressive strategies is its “click-to-relationship” model, with over 90% of sales originating from direct personal interaction. Rather than relying solely on anonymous e-commerce, the company prioritizes human connections.
From private appointments to long-term client relationships, The 1916 Company reaffirms that trust and service are the core of luxury retail. This high-touch approach includes:
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In-person consultations
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Virtual appointments
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Ongoing client-advisor relationships
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Bespoke experiences tailored to individual preferences
5. Global Lounges: Luxury Reimagined
The 1916 Company goes beyond traditional retail by offering invitation-only lounges in cities like:
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New York
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Miami
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Hong Kong
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Zurich
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Philadelphia (upcoming in 2025)
These spaces are not mere showrooms. They are community hubs, offering:
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Private watch and jewelry viewings
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Collector meetups
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Networking events for executives
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Educational forums
Think of them as members’ clubs for luxury enthusiasts.
6. A Content Powerhouse: Educate, Then Sell
Another major differentiator is content. The company has built a media empire, with:
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Two active YouTube channels boasting nearly 400,000 subscribers
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Over 12,000 videos
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A digital journal of more than 1,000 in-depth articles
Watch experts like Tim Mosso and Jack Forster produce detailed video reviews, watch comparisons, and educational content that attracts millions of views.
This authority-building strategy does more than generate sales—it creates a loyal audience of informed collectors.
7. Jewelry With a Point of View: Heritage Meets Modern Trends
While watches take center stage, the fine-jewelry division is equally robust. The 1916 Company leverages the craftsmanship and taste of its original jewelers to curate collections that span:
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Vintage and estate jewelry
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Signed designer pieces
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Contemporary bridal collections
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Bold, gold statement pieces making a comeback
The brand recently appointed Eleonor Picciotto, founder of The Eye of Jewelry, as Editor-at-Large, adding fresh perspective and editorial flair to its jewelry offerings.
8. Exclusive Brand Partnerships and Expansion Plans
The company is actively pursuing exclusive mono-brand boutiques, starting with:
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Tudor boutique inside Hyde Park’s Denver salon
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Upcoming IWC, Omega, and Panerai stores in Colorado and California
This allows The 1916 Company to host individual brand experiences under its larger umbrella, satisfying both brand loyalists and multi-brand shoppers.
Planned new stores include:
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Philadelphia suburb location in April 2025
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Manhattan Beach, California store in late 2025
9. A Unified Digital and Physical Experience
All stores—Govberg, Radcliffe, and Hyde Park—will soon rebrand under The 1916 Company name. This rebranding is not cosmetic. It’s about giving clients a seamless omnichannel experience, where:
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Browsing online mirrors the in-store layout
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WatchBox’s global inventory is visible across locations
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Clients can access one app, one website, one team
As Shmerler explains, it’s about giving clients access to “the full breadth of what we do.”
10. Leadership with Vision and Integrity
The leadership team includes industry veterans who understand both heritage and innovation:
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John Shmerler – CEO, former President of Radcliffe Jewelers
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Danny Govberg – Executive Chairman, third-generation jeweler
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Justin Reis – Global CEO, co-founder of WatchBox
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Damon Gross – U.S. Operations CEO, formerly of Hyde Park
Each brings a wealth of experience and a shared mission: to redefine luxury retail by merging tradition with technology.
Conclusion: The Future of Luxury Is Personal and Digital
The 1916 Company is not just a clever rebranding exercise. It’s a visionary model for the future of luxury retail. By combining the rich legacy of century-old family businesses with cutting-edge content, elevated client service, and a seamless omnichannel platform, the company is positioned to compete with the biggest names in the luxury space.
But what truly sets it apart is its human-centric approach. In an age where many luxury brands are moving toward automation and minimal contact, The 1916 Company doubles down on relationships, trust, and education. It's proof that in luxury, high-touch still beats high-tech—but ideally, the future offers both.
As it continues to grow, The 1916 Company stands as a case study in strategic transformation—a perfect blend of old-school values and new-age innovation.
Source: Based on Sarah Jordan, “A 109-Year-Old Startup: The 1916 Company,” Rapaport Magazine (April 3, 2025).
