Toby Bateman

Toby Bateman, CEO of the content-and-commerce watch universe Hodinkee, explains how the growth of e-commerce and community-based retail is primed to shift the business of watches in the years to come.

The company’s new leadership says it’s not just for ‘watch nerds’ anymore and is introducing more ambitious editorial content while extending its reach in the secondhand marketplace.

The online destination for high-end new and vintage watch fans, founded by Benjamin Clymer in 2008, is aiming to scale its content-meets-commerce model in a challenging watches market.

The luxury e-commerce leader reported a £10.5 million loss in the 15 months ending March 31, 2019, reflecting a tumultuous period following the company’s takeover by Richemont.

The YNAP menswear site’s longtime managing director is the most recent to leave the Richemont-owned group, which has experienced a string of senior departures, according to multiple sources.

BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.

BoF spoke to Toby Bateman, fashion director at Mr Porter, to learn about the e-tailer's mandate in today's menswear market and its move into new product categories, including fine watches.