Watches of Switzerland snaps up luxury digital content platform

Watches of Switzerland has bought Hodinkee, a destination for luxury watch enthusiasts, and expects the deal to enhance its “ability to capture market share, particularly in the fast growing US market”.

Based in New York City, Hodinkee provides digital print and video content, limited edition watch collaborations and watch and jewellery insurance services. Hodinkee draws 22.2 million annual unique visitors to its website and has more than 1 million social media followers.

Watches of Switzerland will “integrate Hodinkee’s proposition” with all retail traffic directed to Watches of Switzerland’s US ecommerce site. This will give the Group access to a captive and highly engaged luxury watch audience.

Watches of Switzerland chief executive Brian Duffy said: “With the support of the wider Group, we will enable Ben [Clymer, Hodinkee founder] and his best-in-class editorial team to keep doing what Hodinkee does best – further expanding its passionate and loyal community by being the most authentic and authoritative voice on the industry.

“Our strategy is focused on staying at the forefront of the luxury industry, aligning with brands which inspire us and whose partnership offers a mutually beneficial outcome. The acquisition of Hodinkee directly supports our ecommerce business, driving traffic and brand awareness across our markets, and particularly in the US, further enhancing our sector leadership online.”

The acquisition will be funded from Watches of Switzerland’s existing financing facilities.