Our desire is to provide our customers with the highest quality, products and services to meet and, even, exceed their expectations.
In 73 years of business, we've fined-tuned our expertise and feel a sense of personal obligation to our customers whose families have become third generation friends.
The idea of Salomon Jewelers began in 1921 in Schwanebeck, Germany, when Ernest Salomon earned his title Master Clockmaker and Watchman and opened his shop offering clock repair and fine jewelry. As business prospered, Ernest and his wife Emma, along with their two sons, Erich (8) and Gerhard (3), ventured to America in 1928. They arrived in the bustling city of Allentown, PA and rented the 3rd floor apartment of Ebbecke Hardware, 606 Hamilton Street. During the Depression's rough times of 1931, John Ebbecke and Ernest shook hands on a gentleman's agreement. This provided a suitable clock repair and jewelry store on Ebbecke's 2nd floor and...Salomon Jewelers was born! At his bench, which is in it's 70th year of use by his grandson and present owner, Rick Salomon, Ernest practiced his beloved art of mechanical clock and watch repair. Here, the precise regulation of harnessing and releasing energy captured his keen attention. The future seemed promising.
At their father’s knee and workbench, Erich and Gerhard became familiar with their father’s incredible horological skills. In 1939, Ernest suddenly died, leaving his wife with two sons and a toddler daughter, Margaret. Erich and Gerhard valiantly put their hands and hearts to work and dutifully continued their father’s horological heritage and desire to do all repair work as if it were their own. As customers continued to call, the Salomon boys became most proficient and respected throughout their professional lives. Even the wives of both gentlemen, Lucy (wife of Erich), and Dolores (deceased wife of Gerhard), contributed their many fine talents and business skills.
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Salomon Jewelers & Clock Shoppe
606 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
610-433-1511
Driving Directions
Located in the heart of historic downtown Allentown. |
It’s been 70 years since Ernest opened his little 2nd floor shop, but Erich, 82 and Gerhard, 76 are still hard at work. “It’s the finished result I enjoy most in repairing clocks”, says Gerhard. Through the years, they’ve seen many changes in the American clock and watch industry. From the transition of mechanical timepieces to the innovation of quartz and solar-powered mechanisms, the life of a watchmaker has evolved. Business also expanded to now owning the entire building, which recently underwent a facelift to restore its vintage-style façade.
Indoors, the 2,033 sq. ft. show room and workshop area captivates customers with its enchanting melodies of German-made grandfather, mantel, cuckoo and decorative clocks. In addition, extensive fine jewelry and high-grade Swiss watches are offered to loyal, as well as new, customers throughout the U.S.
Now, with the third generation of Salomons, owner Rick and his wife Linda, work side-by-side striving daily for excellence. Rick says, “Bringing a mechanical watch back to life or thrilling our customers with jewelry created just for them is a rewarding challenge. It’s also exciting to see a resurgence of interest in Swiss mechanical watches. People want to wear a watch that is both a quality time piece and a reminder of their own family heritage”. Yes, founder Ernest Salomon would certainly be pleased!
