I just noticed there hasn't been a Bring A loupe article in 4-5 months. Not on the site often, but that was one of the few sections I would read.

Anyone know why?

I was thinking since they have ramped up their own sale of vintage watches in the H shop section, maybe they are winding down promoting any other vintage sales from other sources, but perhaps that is the skeptic in me.

 

Yes it just disappeared, and I didn’t see any explanation which was a bit odd as it really was one of the best things about Hodinkee. This was especially true in the early days when it was done by Eric Wind.

And edit to add: I just looked and Isaac Wingold is no longer a member of staff so perhaps that’s part of the explanation. Maybe he left and they’re searching for someone to take it on (which is perhaps less likely as they have quite a lot of writing staff), or they just quit the column for reasons like you suggested, or maybe even Isaac was a freelancer and never appeared on the staff list in the first place. A mystery...

 

They sold out

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robert...ny-now-valued-at-100-million/?sh=4ca795a13104

 

That is correct, the Hodinkee US$565 loupe kit has in fact been sold out for months, so the writers have no loupe to bring.

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/loupe-system?_pos=9&_sid=c4e9d7427&_ss=r&variant=32692690354251

No worries, I am sure the feature will start back up when the supply has been replenished.

 

I spoke with a friend and it seems it’s gone the way of the dodo.

 

This is dumb

 

lol, I thought you were joking, should have known better

 

And for that price not even something to clip on to a phone to take good watch pics?

 

And yet... sold out.

I do love a good joke, but this wasn't one.

Upgraded kit will have one of those... #priceincrease

 

Yikes. What is that saying about a fool and his money...

 

A real shame, it always has been the best part of the site

 

The Loupe System is a very high end loupe, it's not a piece of normal Hodinkee schlock. I've not used one but they get very high marks from people who have owned them. Expensive, yes, but lots of things in our hobby are silly expensive like croc straps or Omega deployant buckles.

Loupe System - A MACRO LENS FOR THE EYE

 

Agreed. Actually the only part I read but hey: I’m a vintage guy

 

I was keen on getting one and discussed with a friend. He said the Loupe System was so good that it should be called the "Vintage Watch Killer". You will see imperfections you never wish you did.

 

Wow, if I had customers who would spend that much on a loupe I'd be doing everything I could to keep it in stock. That said, it looks like you can buy the same loupes (sans the brading) from https://www.loupesystem.com/products/rubber for roughly the same price ($5 more -- also available cased in alligator leather for an extra $300). So maybe the margin wasn't high enough.

 

Not that it matters much, but I would agree with the skeptic in you as well: why would they tacitly "endorse" auction houses and other online sellers which would benefit from the "Hodinkee halo", while at the same time undermining their own vintage watches shop.

I am also quite certain that these of us who are good hunters of vintage watches are probably happy that this is no longer taking place as it would jeopardize a good deal, should their target appear in that column.

 

It’s OK, I’m sure Bring A Loupe Mk II is just around the corner. It’ll just feature vintage watches that are only available from their site, plus it’ll rely on an Augmented Reality feature which means you’ll have to purchase one of their loupes to access the content

 

It’s a dammed shame that this series has vanished. One of my favorites. Why promote other people selling watches?

 

My favourite one after talking watches.

 

Sorry double post!