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.”
More on Watches
The Latest
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
