The 1916 Company, the global destination for collectible luxury watches and fine jewelry with 110 years of heritage, has opened its newest showroom at Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach, California — its first new market entry since the company’s formation and its 25th location worldwide.
The showroom spans 5,800 square feet, bringing together dedicated environments for Swiss watch brands, including Rolex, Breitling, De Bethune, Panerai, and Tudor, alongside an expansive jewelry offering and spaces designed for discovery, conversation, and personalized hospitality. At its heart sits a 1,350 square foot Rolex space, designed to reflect the full elegance of the Rolex aesthetic while offering guests a bespoke, personalized experience.
The West Coast Debut of the 1916 Collector’s Lounge
Manhattan Beach marks the West Coast debut of the 1916 Collector’s Lounge, a dedicated space housing Rolex Certified Pre Owned watches and The 1916 Company Pre Owned Collection, presented in a relaxed, conversational setting. The lounge format has already proven successful across The 1916 Company‘s locations in New York, Miami, Switzerland, and Asia, and its arrival on the West Coast signals the brand’s confidence in the Southern California collector market.
John Shmerler, CEO of The 1916 Company, said that “Manhattan Beach represents something we’ve been working toward for the last two years. We’re bringing The 1916 Company to a market that has long had a deep culture of collecting and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship — and one that deserves a destination shaped by that.”
High Horology and Independent Watchmaking
Woven throughout the showroom is a dedicated High Horology area anchored by De Bethune, a brand in which The 1916 Company holds a majority investment, and designed to bring independent watchmaking to a broader audience of collectors. Rotating presentations of watchmakers from across the company’s global network will keep the space fresh and evolving. At opening, featured maisons include Daniel Roth, Gérald Genta, Greubel Forsey, and Bianchet.
A Jewelry Edit Shaped by the West Coast
The jewelry assortment reflects the design forward character of the West Coast, and Manhattan Beach marks The 1916 Company‘s first retail partnerships with designers Jade Trau, Jenna Blake, and Melissa Kaye, three names working in expressive, wearable fine jewelry. Their collections sit alongside established names like Roberto Coin, Zoe Chicco, Spinelli Kilcollin, and exclusive pieces by The 1916 Company itself.
Melanie Chud, recently appointed b at The 1916 Company, said, “Manhattan Beach is an opportunity to bring that to a new community, with a space clients can explore at their own pace, and the kind of personal service and care that’s hard to find elsewhere.”
The Manhattan Beach showroom is now open at Manhattan Village, Monday through Saturday 10 am–6 pm and Sunday 12 pm–5 pm, with a calendar of exclusive watch and jewelry events to follow.
