Community Stories

Hodinkee selling watches via their watch shop

watchknut
Posts
4,043
Likes
13,944
gophishin gophishin
One thing that would be great to see come out of this would be more honest and transparent listings. It doesn't really apply here, but with many FS listings on dealer sites and elsewhere, it's up to the buyer to find all of the flaws/detractors/imperfections, which can be especially hard given the array of picture quality. So, it would be great if Hodinkee's (attempt) at more transparent and honest condition reports elevates the standard for other sellers.
This is a very good point. I recently bought a watch from a well respected dealer, and was very happy with the transaction, but what I found odd was his inability to tell me about the overpolished case. I asked specifically about it, and his response was, "my watchmaker did not polish it. It looks good to me." I knew for a fact that it was overpolished and the case lines all out of whack...and I bought it anyway, factoring a trip to ABC, who beautifully reworked the case.

It will be interesting to see if any of the watches that they sell have potential issues that they miss, a la the auction houses, as you know that people will watch them like a hawk.

Hopefully the continue to only charge a slight Hodonkey premium on their pieces, a middle ground between a private collector sale and a true dealer sale. If offering high quality, vetted vintage watches at realistic prices drives more traffic, and subsequent sales of higher margin accessories coupled with ad revenue, they may carve a very interesting niche in the market that serves the collector. Especially if they become a "go to" source for moving a high volume of quality vintage pieces.
 
glownyc
Posts
380
Likes
442
Phase 2 has finally been reviled!

1) Create hype
2) ????
3) Profit
 
al128
Posts
2,203
Likes
2,057
Darlinboy Darlinboy
Better deals to be found, but no doubt they'll do well.

Rather harsh first review above. Ben is to be congratulated for following his passion, and taking it broad (not to mention monetizing) it in a big way. That said, I don't visit the site as often as I did in early days.

While it's not for everyone, it is hard to argue Hodinkee's impact and success in the watch world.


While it's not for everyone, it is hard to argue Kim K.'s impact and success in the world.

see what I did there ;-)
 
flyingout
Posts
693
Likes
705
So, we'll be showing you the good with the bad on every single watch sold on the HODINKEE Shop because we want the world around us to realize consumers are rational enough - intelligent enough - to purchase watches that are real, not just re-done. Oh, and while we're going to offer mega high-res images, there won't be any photo-shopping, ever. Revel in that dust! This is how a 50-year-old watch should look!

Admirable, but

gophishin gophishin
I do, however, find it interesting that the purveyor of Bring A Loupe and (now literal) pusher of vintage watches, is not providing movement pictures with their sales.

I haven't studied the first offerings in detail, but the lack of movement shots is what I noticed first. They seem to be selling fast, however.

Note:
hodinkee Mod: Thanks very much! Movement shots will happen in the next round of watches, and forever moving forward.
 
ibis888
Posts
615
Likes
610
I think it's a good idea... you pay a premium but you receive at least some assurances that the watches are genuine and won't have fatal flaws.

Particularly useful if you don't have the knowledge or time to extensively research the watch.
 
ConElPueblo
Posts
9,596
Likes
27,692
ibis888 ibis888
I think it's a good idea... you pay a premium but you receive at least some assurances that the watches are genuine and won't have fatal flaws.

Particularly useful if you don't have the knowledge or time to extensively research the watch.

In essence, Hodinkee is charging people for a service that happens here all the time ::stirthepot::
 
davidswiss
Posts
1,087
Likes
1,849
Someone must be buying them as they've only got 3 watches left and lots sold.
 
Larry S
Posts
13,505
Likes
53,069
Trust I think. Plus quality.
 
off
Posts
78
Likes
184
Any idea what their consignment fees are, Crown & Caliber takes a 20% cut in addition to a $200 preparation and photography fee. It seems they are going the way of C&C, the first step towards being a dealer, and of course there is nothing wrong with that. All part of the grand plan when they took that $3.6M capital infusion. My only qualm is the "Hodinkee Bump" with be at an a even greater scale!

At least with all this additional revenue they'll be able to maintain and provide us with that highly polished site.
 
vintagecaliber
Posts
45
Likes
32
Well... they do nice photography and some very hipster-kind description. What I really don't like - their terms and conditions. They say 'buying vintage watch is pain', but... no refund! Exchange only or credit in their shop. That's the pain : )
 
emilio
Posts
853
Likes
3,869
Personally I think they do what can be done here.

However no other forum is like omegaforums. This is the best place to buy and sell in my opinion. Here I don't ask about references and don't get asked about references at all because all is based on trust.

However vintagerolex market and chronotrader are not that good at all..
 
watchknut
Posts
4,043
Likes
13,944
emilio emilio
Personally I think they do what can be done here.

However no other forum is like omegaforums. This is the best place to buy and sell in my opinion. Here I don't ask about references and don't get asked about references at all because all is based on trust.

However vintagerolex market and chronotrader are not that good at all..
I wonder if they could create a marketplace that combines OF, Chrono24, ebay, etc., but they vet the sellers and watches, and take a % of the listing or a flat listing fee.

They could choose the sellers and the pieces to ensure that their marketplace has only the best examples from the best sellers--basically cull the best pieces in a unique marketplace.

Just an idea, have no clue how it would be implemented.
 
E-diddy
Posts
572
Likes
419
they've sold 16/18. impressive for being open for just over a day.

dealers, what do you think?
 
Mouse_at_Large
Posts
2,043
Likes
5,502
Read both letters, and though it may not be the most popular position, I tend to support the IWC response. I really can't see that a company which goes out of business by pursuing a business strategy dictated by fanboys (no matter how passionately) is to be preferred to one that at least to me seems to have a reasonably coherent business plan and strategic vision.

If you don't like the way they are going or their products, then simply don't buy them.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Zman4eva

GQ article - Why True Watch Heads Never Set the Time on Their Watches

Zman4eva Open Discussion
rexquando65
rexquando65
Posts
108
Views
12K
kip595

Anyone ever get 'defensive' about their watch/watches?

kip595 Open Discussion
kov
kov
Posts
50
Views
6K
U

A quick "How To" for members who are selling watches.

ulackfocus Open Discussion
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
118
Views
12K
M

Experience selling watches to Theo&Harris?

matthewchan9027 Open Discussion
Seacow
Seacow
Posts
20
Views
2K
larryganz

New PayPal Policies - how does this affect us selling watches here?

larryganz Modern Omega Watches
gatorcpa
gatorcpa
Posts
37
Views
5K
CaptainWinsor

Watch Shopping in the Caribbean

CaptainWinsor Open Discussion
alam
alam
Posts
8
Views
15K