Tom Brady, John Mayer Invest in HODINKEE

NEW YORK — HODINKEE, a destination site focusing on high-end watches, has closed a $40 million Series B funding round. The round was led by TCG, an affiliate of The Chernin Group, LLC, with participation from new and existing investors, including LVMH Luxury Ventures, True Ventures, Tony Fadell’s Future Shape, and six-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady. Additional investors include GV (formerly Google Ventures) and seven-time Grammy award winner John Mayer.

HODINKEE will use the investment to further accelerate its retail/e-commerce capabilities and editorial product development. Benjamin Clyner founded the site in 2008. HODINKEE comes from the Czech word for watch — hodinky.

The company also hired Toby Bateman as its new Chief Executive Officer. . Bateman is an experienced executive and the former Managing Director of Mr. Porter, a leading luxury men’s e-commerce site. Founder and current CEO Benjamin Clymer will be stepping into the role of Executive Chairman.

As CEO, Mr. Bateman will guide HODINKEE as it expands its editorial, product, and service offerings benefiting the devoted watch community. Mr. Bateman is recognized as an e-commerce leader, bringing a specialist approach to the business by understanding the importance of content, product expertise, speed of service, and community building. That approach makes him uniquely qualified to lead HODINKEE and leverage content and commerce in a way that is authentic, thoughtful, and in tune with today’s luxury consumer.

Joining HODINKEE as a Board member is inventor, entrepreneur, and investor Mr. Tony Fadell. Reverently referred to as the “Father of the iPod,” Mr. Fadell joined Apple Computer Inc. in 2001. He was the Senior Vice President of the iPod division, leading the team that created the first 18 generations of the iPod and the first three generations of the iPhone. In 2010, he founded Nest Labs, which was acquired by Google in 2014. Currently, Fadell is the Principal at investment firm Future Shape.

“When I began HODINKEE more than a decade ago, my goal was to make the world of mechanical watches more fun and approachable. I wanted to ensure that this beautiful craft exists for generations to come, and to simply share an appreciation for well-made things. The goals haven’t changed,” said Founder and Executive Chairman Benjamin Clymer. “I am confident that with our new partners, we will be able to welcome new watch lovers into the world of HODINKEE. In my new role as Executive Chairman, I will be able to spend each day of the week doing what I love most, ensuring that HODINKEE remains connected to the core tenets of why we exist in the first place – to serve our community. I am proud to have Toby onboard as our new CEO and am pleased to welcome TCG, LVMH Luxury Ventures, Tom Brady, and more into the HODINKEE family.”