The 1916 Company is expanding its luxury footprint beyond watches and fine jewelry with the launch of pre-owned designer handbags, uniting commerce, content, and community under one trusted platform. Based in Philadelphia, the company is positioning this new category as a natural extension of its decades-long leadership in the secondary market. Pre-owned styles are now shoppable online and in select showrooms, providing collectors with fresh access to sought-after bags from the world’s top fashion houses.
A New Chapter in Luxury Resale
The move into handbags builds on The 1916 Company’s mission to serve collectors “across every dimension of luxury,” applying its established framework of trust, education, and transparency to a new vertical. The brand is offering authenticated, pre-owned pieces from heritage houses such as Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, all sourced and verified in-house by its expert team of pre-owned handbags. On its dedicated handbag hub, shoppers can browse a curated mix of rare finds, cult classics, and trend-forward silhouettes, with every piece vetted for condition and authenticity before it reaches the client’s curated selection.
By bringing handbags in-house, The 1916 Company is applying the same rigor and quality standards that define its work in watches and jewelry, creating one consistent benchmark across categories. The new offering is designed to appeal to both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers, pairing fair market pricing with a concierge-style service that enhances the collector experience. From totes and shoulder bags to clutches, crossbody styles, and mini bags, the assortment emphasizes craftsmanship, heritage, and long-term value.
One Destination for Modern Luxury
CEO John Shmerler said, “Our goal has always been to create a single destination for modern luxury. Expanding into pre-owned handbags allows us to bring the same integrity, storytelling, and service that have shaped our reputation in watches and jewelry to a new, equally dynamic category. This expansion strengthens our ability to serve clients holistically, as we continue to build a community grounded in passion and trust.” His comments underscore how the handbag launch is less a pivot and more a layering of categories within one cohesive ecosystem.
Across its platform, The 1916 Company integrates editorial storytelling, market education, and product curation so clients can buy, sell, or trade with confidence, content, and community. That philosophy now extends to handbags, where detailed listings, transparent condition reports, and expert guidance aim to demystify the pre-owned space. The company’s broader strategy reflects a growing consumer appetite for resale and circular luxury, especially in categories where scarcity and waitlists are the norm.
Led by Handbag Expert Lauren Lynch Schuster
The handbag division is led by Lauren Lynch Schuster, a respected voice in luxury resale and co-founder of the Luxury In Reach platform, which has been acquired and fully integrated into The 1916 Company category leadership. Known for her discerning eye and approachable style, Schuster brings deep market experience and a client-first mindset to the role. Her appointment is backed by the company’s national retail footprint and global client base, giving the category both digital reach and physical touchpoints expert leadership.
“Handbags are an essential part of the luxury conversation,” Schuster said. “At The 1916 Company, we’re bringing forward a fresh, informed perspective, combining expertise and enthusiasm to create an experience that’s as educational as it is engaging. Whether through one-on-one sourcing or live shopping, our goal is to foster connection, helping clients discover bags they’ll love, invest in, and talk about.” Her vision aligns with the brand’s emphasis on community-building and long-term client relationships.
Where to Shop the New Handbag Edit
Pre-owned handbag collections are now available online at the1916company.com/handbags and in select physical locations across the The 1916 Company network showroom rollout. Clients can explore a dedicated presentation in Baltimore, along with new displays in Ardmore, Philadelphia, and New York, integrating handbags into existing watch and jewelry environments. This omni-channel rollout allows shoppers to discover and experience pieces both digitally and in person.
Behind the scenes, the handbag launch sits atop a platform that already supports more than 20 boutiques and Collector’s Lounges in key watch markets worldwide. Bringing together the legacies of WatchBox, Govberg Jewelers, Radcliffe Jewelers, and Hyde Park Jewelers, The 1916 Company now positions itself as a global community for collectible watches, fine jewelry, and pre-owned designer handbags. With handbags officially part of the mix, the brand is one step closer to being a comprehensive destination for modern luxury collectors.
