Why European Watch Company Bought Crown & Caliber From Hodinkee

When I titled this article, “Why European Watch Company bought Crown & Caliber from Hodinkee”  I wanted to add: “Spoiler Alert: It wasn’t for the inventory.” However, space concerns and number of words in a headline wouldn’t let me do that. It is important to know, though, that European Watch Company has big plans for Crown & Caliber that really aren’t about the pre-owned watch inventory.

Backgrounder:

Just last week, I took a long look at the buyout by Watches of Switzerland of Hodinkee. In that article, I mentioned that Hodinkee had purchased several years ago the pre-owned watch sales site, Crown & Caliber. I didn’t say anything, though, about how Crown & Caliber might fit into the new lineup for Watches of Switzerland. That’s because – like those tightly tied into the watch world – I had heard that Crown & Caliber was up for sale separately.  In fact, that part of the business was snapped up by Boston-based European Watch Company, which made the announcement just prior to this past weekend.

Interestingly enough, and contrary to what most watch lovers believe, the buyout was not for the Crown & Caliber inventory. In fact, European Watch Company’s owners – CEO Joshua Ganjei and his father, Albert,  recognized the value of the platform’s social media numbers thanks to its loyal followers. That was enough for EWC, which plans to turn the site into its editorial arm.

Crown & Caliber, founded in 2013, has carved out a strong niche in the pre-owned luxury watch space, boasting a robust digital presence through a comprehensive blog, YouTube channel, and active social media feeds. Hodinkee’s acquisition of Crown & Caliber in 2021 amplified the brand’s editorial voice, merging its retail expertise with rich content production. Now, under European Watch Company’s ownership, Crown & Caliber’s audience and customers will become part of the EWC family, as it seeks to elevate storytelling while maintaining best-in-class customer service.

In the coming months, European Watch Company will integrate Crown & Caliber’s e-commerce platform, inviting its loyal clients into the fold. While the Crown & Caliber brand will continue as an information website/social media platform, the new ownership plans to enhance content production with editorial contributions from expert journalists in the form of articles, behind-the-scenes looks at brands, watch reviews and fresh video offerings. It is expected that the combined reach and expertise of both companies will offer unparalleled value to the global watch community.

This acquisition is more than just a “selling watches” business move—it creates a dynamic opportunity for growth in the luxury watch content space, while ensuring that both brands’ dedication to quality and customer experience remains intact. EWC promises further updates on app developments and team expansions in the near future.

Joshua Ganjei, CEO of European Watch Company, emphasized the strategic value of this acquisition, “We are excited to add Crown & Caliber to the European Watch Company portfolio. Their extensive and passionate community of watch enthusiasts aligns perfectly with our vision. This acquisition will not only expand our customer base but also strengthen our position as a global leader in luxury timepieces.”

I, for one, will be keeping a close eye on how EWC will expand coverage of watches, watchmaking, and the luxury goods sector.