A novel scheme for the measurement and characterization of the adhesion strength of solid coatings on solid substrates is being presented. Although the method is presently restricted to purely elastic and isotropic materials, it represents an appealing alternative to standard methods, which are not satisfactory in many respects. Our technique is based on laser-induced spallation of the coatings under test, combined with an interferometric monitoring of the spallation process that is manifest in the time-dependence of the surface displacement of the coating.