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.

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.”
The Latest

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.


The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.