Watches of Switzerland Acquires Hodinkee

Watches of Switzerland has added timepiece media website Hodinkee to its arsenal, a move that aims to strengthen the company’s position in the luxury watch space.

“Watches of Switzerland…stays at the forefront of the luxury industry,” said its CEO, Brian Duffy. “As part of this strategy, we align ourselves with brands who inspire us and whose partnership offers a mutually beneficial outcome. Hodinkee distinguishes itself in the world of horology, and while our goal is to provide Hodinkee with a home to continue to flourish, we are proud to gain valuable insights from their groundbreaking team and operation.”

As part of the acquisition, Hodinkee founder Ben Clymer will return as CEO, after stepping down from that role in 2020. The company will maintain its New York headquarters, and its current staff members will continue to produce watch-related editorial content. The acquisition will allow Hodinkee to operate independently under the Watches of Switzerland umbrella, focusing on its mission to provide high-quality, accessible watch content.

This development is expected to benefit both companies. Watches of Switzerland will gain access to Hodinkee’s established community and editorial expertise, while the editorial site will benefit from the larger company’s retail resources.

Watches of Switzerland will also acquire functions behind Hodinkee’s insurance, which it operates through a partnership with Chubb. The companies provide insurance for valuable collections of watches and jewelry, the timepiece retailer noted.

Image: A Watches of Switzerland store on Vanderbilt Street in New York. (Watches of Switzerland)