Hodinkee : Authorized Dealer?

[Syed117]

Don't think I've seen a thread about this.

So Hodinkee went from watch blog to selling straps and other accessories. Then they started selling vintage watches to now becoming an authorized dealer for several brands.

Basically they've partnered with a few brands to offer the models they consider worth owning. They don't offer every model.

Shipped to you with a manufacturers warranty and one year extra Hodinkee warranty.

Pros: Watches shipped overnight and the feeling of superiority knowing that some fairly pretentious people curated this selection of watches. Watches are presented better than anywhere I've ever seen.

Cons: You pay retail.

Thoughts?

For the average person who doesn't know that discounts are easy to get on most of the brands they are selling, it seems like a good service. Their presentation, photos, and descriptions are leagues beyond what any random AD or online seller can match. I think at the very least, that is fantastic.

Happy to see GS being represented. Surprised to see VC.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ne...e-shop-welcome

[tyler1980]

I don't mind it. Personally I like hodinkee. If I was paying retail to them or to some AD I would choose them for sure. They add value to my hobby where as generally i know more about watches than most salespeople at an AD.

Would I pay way more to buy from them, probably not. If it was close though I would.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

I don't mind it. Personally I like hodinkee. If I was paying retail to them or to some AD I would choose them for sure. They add value to my hobby where as generally i know more about watches than most salespeople at an AD.

Would I pay way more to buy from them, probably not. If it was close though I would.

Yeah, I think I feel the same way.

If the price was close, I would probably go with them as well.

[abmukete]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

I don't mind it. Personally I like hodinkee. If I was paying retail to them or to some AD I would choose them for sure. They add value to my hobby where as generally i know more about watches than most salespeople at an AD.

Would I pay way more to buy from them, probably not. If it was close though I would.

I think most enthusiast would rather go with Hodinki. I have only come across 2-3 AD's who know as much as I do about watches. That's a shame

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Abdullah71601]

If the prices aren’t negotiable, I’ll pass. No amount of expertise adds value to the watch.

[Wesley Crusher]

The extra warranty is nice, but many ADs do the same thing.

I don’t like to pay MRSP so I cannot see myself buying from Hodinkee. I’ll stick to sellers who are willing to play ball.

[Blansky]

If I were and AD I would be pretty upset I think. Apparently Hodinkee can buy any model from the brands they carry, and sell it while the ADs have to buy a large stock of models they know they can't sell and tie up a bunch of cash to do so.

Makes me wonder why Hodinkee got such a sweet deal.

I rarely buy new so none of it makes much difference to me but it seems kind of unfair to ADs who have massive overheads and may be a dying breed and then this happens to them.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

If the prices aren’t negotiable, I’ll pass. No amount of expertise adds value to the watch.

Exactly

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

If the prices aren’t negotiable, I’ll pass. No amount of expertise adds value to the watch.

Im saying it in the sense that I also shop local businesses and pay more than I would from a box box store. They add value to my neighborhood even if it costs a bit more. Hodinkee adds value not as an AD, but in what they do with articles and information. I would like them to continue to be successful. Im not paying astronomically more but I would pay a bit more to give them business.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Yeah, I think I feel the same way.

If the price was close, I would probably go with them as well.

Same here. If the local AD only offered like 5%, pay with CC, and free shipping out of state then I'd be pretty tempted to just go with Hodinkee to get the no sales tax and have it delivered to me.

[GradyPhilpott]

I've bought plenty of watches online, but they've been inexpensive new watches for no more than a $200 or vintage watches under $1,000.

I like to deal with people face to face for more expensive watches and I like to try them on first.

I ordered my BLNR from my AD sight unseen, but I wasn't new to Rolex and had tried on at least one 116710LN.

I like the AD experience.

I'm not knocking Hokinkee.

I'm just stating my experience and preferences.

[RW16610]

I think it's great to have options. Times have changed a lot, and we're close to staring a new decade. Like Grady I prefer the experience in person BUT certainly see how it can be nice / helpful. Always good to have options really!

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

Im saying it in the sense that I also shop local businesses and pay more than I would from a box box store. They add value to my neighborhood even if it costs a bit more. Hodinkee adds value not as an AD, but in what they do with articles and information. I would like them to continue to be successful. Im not paying astronomically more but I would pay a bit more to give them business.

They seemed to be doing fine before they jumped into this new venture. I'll read their articles, but once I've decided, the seller needs to come off retail. If they need to pump their margins by selling at full retail, they can stick to buyers who don't know any better (not inferring you don't).

[2Redbulls]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the conflict of interest here with Hodinkee. Why should I trust or believe in their reviews of watch brands that they don't carry? If Motor Trend sold BMW's but was reviewing a Mercedes and made statements or opinions that reflected poorly on Mercedes, how do I know that their allegiance to BMW didn't have a sway into their opinions? Everyone would call them out on their bias. I realize that people can be unbiased but when sales become the main source of revenue or a large portion of Hodinkee's revenue, they could very easily fall into that trap. Maybe they don't make the Mercedes sound bad but will overly inflate the virtues of the brands they carry. You're either an unbiased content driven entity or your a sales operation. I see this as a huge negative for Hodinkee.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the conflict of interest here with Hodinkee. Why should I trust or believe in their reviews of watch brands that they don't carry? If Motor Trend sold BMW's but was reviewing a Mercedes and made statements or opinions that reflected poorly on Mercedes, how do I know that their allegiance to BMW didn't have a sway into their opinions? Everyone would call them out on their bias. I realize that people can be unbiased but when sales become the main source of revenue or a large portion of Hodinkee's revenue, they could very easily fall into that trap. Maybe they don't make the Mercedes sound bad but will overly inflate the virtues of the brands they carry. You're either an unbiased content driven entity or your a sales operation. I see this as a huge negative for Hodinkee.

Agree but that ship sailed long ago for H. Even in the beginning if your revenue source is advertising, then do you really think they will be completely objective in their reviews? Can’t bite the hand that feeds.

[2Redbulls]

Originally Posted by SMD

Agree but that ship sailed long ago for H. Even in the beginning if your revenue source is advertising, then do you really think they will be completely objective in their reviews? Can’t bite the hand that feeds.

good point. I wonder whether this will impact their advertising income from brands they don't carry.

[explodingtaco]

I think it is great. A curated list that I happen to love? Why not!

Funny thing is they carry both of my watches I still own. I got a good discount from two different and great ADs, so I would only buy from them if I knew I was going to keep the watch and one of the local ADs did not keep the brand.

Also, most ADs wont care or even notice, as you can get most of those brands online at MSRP now.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by SMD

Agree but that ship sailed long ago for H. Even in the beginning if your revenue source is advertising, then do you really think they will be completely objective in their reviews? Can’t bite the hand that feeds.

It's a pivot that I think is good for the market in general but not as good for Hodinkee. They are a terrific translator between generations and demographics, and it has been the diplomacy between the generations / demographics that propels them and the hobbie. Some of their content transcends so well, like the talking watches clips. Love them.

The paid stuff on the other hand is less interesting. For example, I think Cartier deserves a spotlight, but knowing they paid Hodinkee to be in the conversation changes the frame for me. I wish it was more natural too, less commercial.

Hopefully they don't go full Govberg on me as I can no longer stomach their stuff.

[2Redbulls]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

It's a pivot that I think is good for the market in general but not as good for Hodinkee. They are a terrific translator between generations and demographics, and it has been the diplomacy between the generations / demographics that propels them and the hobbie. Some of their content transcends so well, like the talking watches clips. Love them.

The paid stuff on the other hand is less interesting. For example, I think Cartier deserves a spotlight, but knowing they paid Hodinkee to be in the conversation changes the frame for me. I wish it was more natural too, less commercial.

Hopefully they don't go full Govberg on me as I can no longer stomach their stuff.

Great observation!

I hope they don’t go full Govberg on us also, but at least Govberg doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

[Speed]

I wish they’d limit their sales to skus you couldn’t get anywhere else. I.e. some of their past LEs such as the Heuer Clipper and Zenith El Primero.