Independents

Govberg Jewelers Opens New Headquarters in Philly Suburbs

IndependentsAug 25, 2017

Govberg Jewelers Opens New Headquarters in Philly Suburbs

The space underwent 18 months of renovation to better reflect its vision of tech-enabled luxury commerce, including a watch “trading floor.”

20170824_Trading-floor.jpg
Govberg Jewelers’ renovated headquarters in the suburbs of Philadelphia features a “trading floor” on the second level, where associates engage with clients across the world.

Bala Cynwyd, Pa.--After an $8.5 million investment and 18 months of renovation and construction, retailer Govberg Jewelers has opened its new headquarters in a Philadelphia suburb.

Located in Bala Cynwyd, the three-story, 20,000-square-foot building is a shared workplace that brings together departments that previously were spread among five facilities: pre-owned watches, marketing, technology, finance, administration and watchmaking.

All floors have five-foot tall windows that span the entire perimeter of the building, allowing sunlight to flood the first-floor state-of-the-art watchmaking facility, where nine Swiss-trained watchmakers and refinishers service and repair hundreds of timepieces every month.

The second floor houses Govberg’s operations, administration and the digitally-focused pre-owned watch department, where concierge-style associates engage with clients across the world from what the company is referring to as its “trading floor.”

Here, the team of “traders” acquires luxury timepieces from private collections and estates while also accepting watch trade-ins and new purchases.

Meanwhile, the third floor houses the company’s executive department--marketing, technology and finance--where community spaces, conference rooms and designated lounge areas are an integral part of the floorplan to allow for collaboration, productivity and creativity, the company said.

The space’s décor reflects both its main point of business for more than 100 years through design features like wall clocks by the watch brands that Govberg Jewelers represents, as well as its embrace of startup culture, with aspects like autographed sports memorabilia from legendary athletes, playful artwork and life-sized superheroes found around the office.


Govberg Jewelers CEO Danny Govberg sits in the company’s newly renovated headquarters, which features larger-than-life superheroes, as seen in the background.
CEO Danny Govberg said, “The move is part of our long-term vision for tech-enabled luxury commerce as we become more agile and focused on introducing new concepts to the marketplace. We recognize today’s customer wants a trusted partner to buy, sell and trade luxury pre-owned watches with convenience and ease. Our new headquarters provides space and resources to scale these services in a manner unique to the watch category.”

Govberg Jewelers celebrated its 100th anniversary last year but received attention for the modern, technology-driven way it answers the demands of today’s consumers. It was mentioned in an article from The New York Times about Swiss watchmakers beginning to sell online, a space for which it provides a model with its omnichannel approach.

In 2015, the company launched its own app, Govberg OnTime, geared toward tech-savvy shoppers. It offered

a platform for buyers who want to buy, trade and sell new and pre-owned watches, allowing users to see how much a specific watch sold for over a twelve-month period and giving them a benchmark to price their own watch for resale.

This spring, it was rebranded as WatchBox by Govberg, as it also redesigned its functionality, user experience and aesthetic--the watch pricing guide feature has a more advanced proprietary algorithm that factors secondary market analysis, estimated market value and recent market sales for more than 80,000 unique models, and that data is supplemented with descriptions and details of each model, related news articles and purchase availability. They also updated the shopping feature.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy