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Key Points:
- The Watches of Switzerland Group has acquired Hodinkee, a leading digital content provider for luxury watch enthusiasts, to expand its online presence, particularly in the U.S. market.
- Hodinkee, headquartered in New York City, attracts 22.2 million unique annual visitors and offers exclusive watch collaborations and insurance services.
- Founder Ben Clymer will return to lead Hodinkee, maintaining its editorial independence and unique content creation.
The Watches of Switzerland Group (LSE:WOSG) has announced a significant acquisition of Hodinkee, a prominent global digital editorial content provider and key gateway for luxury watch enthusiasts. This acquisition aligns with one of the Group’s long-range objectives to capitalize on existing growth opportunities and bolster its online presence, particularly in the rapidly expanding U.S. luxury watch market.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in New York City, Hodinkee has established itself as the premier destination for luxury watch aficionados. The platform offers a diverse array of digital print and video content, limited edition watch collaborations, and insurance services for watches and jewelry. Hodinkee boasts an impressive and engaged audience, drawing 22.2 million unique visitors to its website annually, complemented by over 1 million followers on social media platforms.
Following the completion of the acquisition, the Watches of Switzerland Group will integrate Hodinkee's commercial activities into its operations. This includes merging Hodinkee’s exclusive luxury watch collaborations, with all retail traffic directed to the Watches of Switzerland e-commerce site in the U.S. This strategic move provides the Group access to a dedicated and highly engaged luxury watch audience, allowing it to capture market share more effectively.
In addition to enhancing retail operations, the Group will also incorporate Hodinkee's insurance agency functions, which collaborate with Chubb, a leading global insurance provider. This integration will enable the Group to offer robust protection services for luxury watches and jewelry, further solidifying its position in the luxury market.
A notable aspect of this acquisition is the return of Hodinkee's founder, Ben Clymer, who will resume leadership of the operations for the first time since stepping down as CEO in December 2020. Importantly, Hodinkee will maintain its editorial independence, allowing it to continue producing unmatched editorial content while preserving its unique voice and perspective in the luxury watch sector. Hodinkee’s headquarters will remain in New York City, and all current staff members will transition to the Watches of Switzerland Group.
The acquisition will be financed through existing facilities and is not expected to significantly impact the Group’s leverage position, demonstrating a strategic approach to growth without overextending financial resources.
With this acquisition, the Watches of Switzerland Group now encompasses a prestigious portfolio of brands, including Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths, Mayors, Betteridge, Hodinkee, and Analog. The Group also holds exclusive distribution rights for the luxury jewelry brand Roberto Coin in the USA, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.
