The Past and the Future Barthman, born in Germany in 1840, opened up his first jewelry store at 43 Maiden Lane after marrying the daughter of jeweler William Stratt and began working for his father-in-law thus entering the jewelry business. I In 1884, Barthman moved the business to the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane and there it stayed for well over a hundred years. A century ago, this was the heart of New York City’s diamond, jewelry and watchmaking district. It had survived 113 plus years and became one of the oldest jewelry establishment in one location in the city. At the time, a stroll through the store revealed not only an amazing array of jewelry and watches, but also a glimpse into the past. The decor was almost the same as it was at the turn of the century, dark rosewood fixtures, mahogany and glass cabinets adorned the showcase, a tiny balcony at the rear of the store served as an office that could only be reached by a ladder; a working pneumatic-tube system installed in the 1920s that delivered money placed in cylinders, shot up to the balcony office for change, but the story does not stop there. The Legacy Continues When the Barthman family was nearing retirement, they looked for a buyer who would respect the tradition that William Barthman had established. In turn, the Barthman family found Jerry Natkin. Jerry didn’t want to tamper with Barthman’s history, decor or with its success, so to keep up the tradition, he also protected the beauty of the exterior of the building by forgoing the use of security gates. A few of the original Barthman Family members stayed on to help with the transition, and Jerry Natkin ended up keeping all of the employees for well into a decade. It was his mission to restore the clock in the side walk with the help of Cartier. Today, William Barthman is still synonymous with luxury. Two locations are open to serve in New York City. One remains near the heart of the financial district at 20 Broad Street, while the other is in its original location at 1118 Kings Highway, Brooklyn. The Natkin family and Barthman staff continue the legacy of providing exceptional service to the New York City community. “We have served the financial district for well over a century. We are only pleased when our customers are.” - Jerry Natkin. While the legacy continues to remain strong, there was a surreal time when the future was uncertain due to the acts of 9-11.
A Barthman History
The Clock in the SidewalkTime and Again A century ago the glittering heart of the city’s diamond, jewelry and watchmaker district beat right here. “Within these stores,” wrote the Daily Graphic in 1876,” are diamonds as bright as the eyes of the ancient Dutch beauties.” A proud lone survivor operates here: William Barthman, Jeweler to the Financial District since 1884, the oldest such establishment in one location in the city. Barthman is known to busy Wall Street moguls as the “Downtown Tiffany.” Legendary patrons have included the Morgan’s and the Vanderbilt’s and such celebrities as British actress Lily Langry and dapper New York Mayor “Gentleman” Jimmy Walker. At the Feet of History Embedded in the pavement in the corner of Maiden Land and Broadway what was in front of the original Barthman’s door is one of New York’s most unusual timepieces. In an age of ubiquitous tall, standing sidewalk clocks, William Barthman installed his novel clock directly in the sidewalk itself in 1899, considering it a snappy piece of advertising. Built by a Barthman employee, two years of experimental work went into the construction of the clock at a cost of $700, a magnificent sum in those days. The clock was refitted and its face was changed in 1966. In 1983, after purchasing the store from the Barthman Family, one of the first things the new owner, Jerry Natkin did, in respect of the Barthman legacy was restore and refurbish the clock with the help of Cartier. The clock had Cartier’s name on it as well as Barthman’s for several years. Stepping into Time In 1946, New York police estimated that 51,000 people stepped over the clock every day between 11am and 2pm. They rushed by it every day as they dashed frantically to work. But the thousands of Wall Streeters can’t help but notice the century-old clock in the sidewalk at the corner of Maiden Lane and Broadway in the heart of New York’s financial district. In the words of the Press in December 1899: “Sometimes two swift District Telegraph messengers, who have stopped to match pennies in the shadow of the corder building, see the clock in the pavement with sudden twinges of conscience. It electrifies their feet and sends them flying on their errand.” Legend has it, walking over the clock’s face will not only bring you back in time, but will also give you luck for the rest of the day. Journey with us to the past and rediscover the origin of William Barthman Jeweler.
Be a part of NYC's downtown history and find this hidden gem.Hidden Gems In the heart of the bustling metropolis that is Manhattan, there exists a place where the echoes of history and the gleam of modernity converge in a harmonious dance. Downtown Manhattan, a tapestry woven with the threads of time, beckons visitors with its enchanting allure. Nestled within this urban labyrinth, where towering skyscrapers reach for the heavens, it once was the fabled Jewelry District and the illustrious Financial District, both hallowed grounds of human ambition and artistry. Here, amidst the labyrinthine streets, stands a treasure trove of elegance and craftsmanship – William Barthman Jeweler. Like a jewel in the crown of the city, this venerable establishment invites you to traverse the depths of its history and the heights of its offerings, a place where dreams are adorned with the brilliance of precious stones, and time itself is measured in the elegance of fine timepieces. Join us on a journey through the glittering heart of Manhattan, where the past and present intertwine in a symphony of luxury and heritage. Buried Treasure On the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane you will come across a clock buried in the sidewalk, as it has been since the turn of the century. But, don’t stop there, you will have also found the original corner location for William Barthman Jeweler. Opened in 1884, Barthman has had a glorious past, counting Diamond Jim Brady, Lily Langtry and Lillian Russell among its patrons. The street level was returned to its original beauty and William Barthman has been a respected retailer of fine watches and jewelry in the Financial District since then. Now located on 20 Broad Street, inside you'll find the same attention and appreciation of detailing and beauty in a dazzling array of exquisite jewelry and time pieces. The William Barthman service center is the only authorized service provider in the area for the luxury brands we carry. Our watch and jewelry repair department are the best in the city. We offer engraving and etching services for fast personalization of your gifts and awards, and you will also find the same experts in estate jewelry, and the most professional brand ambassadors as additional treasures. A Hundred Years and Counting For over a century we have been synonymous as the heart of luxury in the Financial District. Journey with us in the retelling of our story starting with ‘The Clock in the Sidewalk.'