Watches of Switzerland has taken a bold step by acquiring Hodinkee, a platform renowned among luxury watch enthusiasts.
- This acquisition aims to enhance Watches of Switzerland’s market presence, specifically targeting the expanding U.S. market.
- Hodinkee, with its wide-reaching digital and social media influence, will continue to operate with editorial independence.
- Ben Clymer, Hodinkee’s founder, will return to lead the platform’s operations after stepping down in 2020.
- Watches of Switzerland plans to leverage Hodinkee’s community and content to bolster its e-commerce strategy.
In a strategic move, Watches of Switzerland has acquired the luxury watch platform, Hodinkee, known globally for its digital content targeting watch enthusiasts. Hodinkee attracts an impressive audience of 22.2 million annual unique visitors and boasts over 1 million followers across social media platforms, making it a significant player in the luxury watch community.
Watches of Switzerland’s acquisition aligns with its goal to stay “at the forefront of the luxury industry“. The company anticipates that this move will enhance its market share, particularly in the rapidly growing U.S. market. By integrating Hodinkee’s commercial activities, including exclusive luxury watch collaborations, all retail traffic will be directed to Watches of Switzerland’s U.S. ecommerce site, strengthening its online presence.
Hodinkee, founded in 2008, has cemented its reputation as a premier destination for luxury watch content. Despite the acquisition, Hodinkee will maintain its editorial independence, allowing it to continue delivering authentic and authoritative content. Ben Clymer, the platform’s founder, is set to resume leadership of operations, reinforcing their commitment to the community they have built over the years.
Brian Duffy, Watches of Switzerland Group’s chief executive, expressed great respect for Ben Clymer and his team, acknowledging their success in establishing Hodinkee as the industry’s go-to source for watch enthusiasts. Duffy emphasized that the acquisition supports Watches of Switzerland’s strategy to drive traffic and increase brand awareness, particularly in the U.S., thereby reinforcing their leadership in the luxury ecommerce sector.
Watches of Switzerland’s strategy focuses on partnerships that inspire and offer mutual benefits. Duffy highlighted that the integration of Hodinkee will not only support their ecommerce initiatives but will also provide opportunities for customers to engage with unique content, further expanding their passionate and loyal customer base.
This acquisition positions Watches of Switzerland to significantly enhance its ecommerce strategy in the luxury watch market.
