Watches

Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee

WatchesOct 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.

Benjamin Clymer and the Porsche Design x Hodinkee limited-edition watch
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.” 


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.”

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

The Kat Florence Lumina
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong Kong

Bonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.

Stock image of a gavel and books
CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is Sentenced

In March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.

F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleau Byblos Watch
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6M

The 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Jewelers Mutual and Jewellers Loop logos
MajorsApr 07, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Expands to Australia Via New Acquisition

The company has acquired Australian jewelry insurance provider Jewellers Loop.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Neuroscientist and speaker Beau Lotto
Events & AwardsApr 07, 2025
Converge Taps Neuroscientist as Opening Keynote Speaker

Beau Lotto’s immersive presentation will be a blend of neuroscience, art, and entertainment.

Victorian Burmese sapphire and diamond brooch
AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101K

A pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Mason Kay International Jade Summit 2025 Graphic
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade Summit

The event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.

Heather B. Moore Lily of the Valley Oval Charm
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ Charm

The charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy