MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8BWatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee
The company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
Watches of Switzerland has acquired Hodinkee, the leading watch news website founded in 2008 by Benjamin Clymer, pictured left. The site will remain editorial independence, Watches of Switzerland said, and Clymer will rejoin Hodinkee full time as president.
New York—Watches of Switzerland Group has made another acquisition and this time, it’s an editorial website popular among watch enthusiasts.
The U.K.-based retailer announced Friday that it has acquired Hodinkee as well as Hodinkee’s Insurance, which offers protection for watches and jewelry in partnership with Chubb.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The website’s founder, Benjamin Clymer, will return to his role as leader of the platform, a position he has not held since stepping back in late 2020.
His title will be president.
Hodinkee will remain in its New York City headquarters and retain all of its current staff, which totals about 35.
Watches of Switzerland said the platform will run independently as a “leading editorial media organization” under the Watches of Switzerland Group umbrella.
“In a decision based in protecting an integral component of the industry, both teams have a shared goal in growing the global watch community and continuing Hodinkee’s journalism, ensuring the entire watch industry can continue its faith in Hodinkee’s unique voice and lens in which they present unmatched editorial content,” the company said.
Clymer said he “genuinely can’t wait for the future” under Watches of Switzerland’s ownership.
“At its core, Hodinkee was founded on a passion for watches that has never wavered. [Watches of Switzerland Group CEO] Brian Duffy and [Watches of Switzerland Group Deputy CEO] David Hurley, both of whom I’ve known for the better part of a decade, share the passion that launched Hodinkee,” he said.
“I’ve seen how they have disrupted the watch retail world at scale, and I am honored to align Hodinkee with Watches of Switzerland.”
Related stories will be right here …
The U.K.-based retailer announced Friday that it has acquired Hodinkee as well as Hodinkee’s Insurance, which offers protection for watches and jewelry in partnership with Chubb.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The website’s founder, Benjamin Clymer, will return to his role as leader of the platform, a position he has not held since stepping back in late 2020.
His title will be president.
Hodinkee will remain in its New York City headquarters and retain all of its current staff, which totals about 35.
Watches of Switzerland said the platform will run independently as a “leading editorial media organization” under the Watches of Switzerland Group umbrella.
“In a decision based in protecting an integral component of the industry, both teams have a shared goal in growing the global watch community and continuing Hodinkee’s journalism, ensuring the entire watch industry can continue its faith in Hodinkee’s unique voice and lens in which they present unmatched editorial content,” the company said.
Clymer said he “genuinely can’t wait for the future” under Watches of Switzerland’s ownership.
“At its core, Hodinkee was founded on a passion for watches that has never wavered. [Watches of Switzerland Group CEO] Brian Duffy and [Watches of Switzerland Group Deputy CEO] David Hurley, both of whom I’ve known for the better part of a decade, share the passion that launched Hodinkee,” he said.
“I’ve seen how they have disrupted the watch retail world at scale, and I am honored to align Hodinkee with Watches of Switzerland.”
The purchase of Hodinkee is the latest in a line of major acquisitions by Watches of Switzerland.
In 2021, the British retailer bought five jewelry stores, including the Betteridge stores in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Vail and Aspen, Colorado.
Earlier this year, the company paid $130 million for the distribution rights to Roberto Coin in the United States—by far the brand’s largest market—as well as in Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.
It also acquired Analog Shift, a retailer of pre-owned watches, in 2020.
Clymer started Hodinkee nearly two decades ago, launching it in 2008 as a blog where he could share his personal love of watches.
In an article posted on the site Friday, he said Hodinkee started as a “passion project” to indulge his “four great loves”—writing, photography, the internet, and watches.
Over the years, Hodinkee grew into one of the internet’s most widely read sites among watch enthusiasts and collectors.
The company eventually began selling watch accessories and limited-edition watches created in collaboration with big brands like Grand Seiko, Hermès, and TAG Heuer.
In 2021, it acquired Crown & Caliber, a pre-owned luxury watch e-tailer.
Crown & Caliber is not part of the Watches of Switzerland acquisition, as Hodinkee announced this summer that it would no longer sell either new or secondhand watches, a decision Clymer referenced in his letter posted Friday.
“As I said in August,” Clymer wrote, “we’re gonna sit back from retail and let our partners at Watches of Switzerland do the selling. We’ll do the writing and the special things that only we can do.
“That means we will now have more time and energy to focus on what we believe truly makes us special—the ability to inform, educate, and entertain.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
