Ep. 212: HODINKEE’s Ben Clymer on Agency, Permanence, and the Talismans of Life
Ben Clymer grew up in a New York suburb, raised by middle-class public school teachers and enamored by his grandfather’s swagger and style. An Omega Speedmaster, a gift from said grandfather, is the piece that captured his heart and sets his story in motion. A painstakingly shy student, he began to gain self-confidence in high-school and a need to differentiate in college. In 2008 he started a tiny blog, HODINKEE, a passion-project about watches that gained traction and sent him on a mission to get a Master’s in Journalism. Since then, HODINKEE has led to creative collaborations with the most prestigious watch brands and famous rockstars, and grown into a multi-channel platform that has transformed the world of luxury watches.
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?
I believe in advice that is simple and concise – and the best piece I’ve ever received is: just try.
Ben with his grandfather
What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?
I grew up in Rochester, New York — the home of Eastman Kodak — so photography has always played a big part in my life. These days, I’m finding the most satisfaction shooting Kodak Portra 400 film on an early 90s Contax TVS camera. In fact, my wife prefers the results to anything I shoot on a Leica, and that’s all the encouragement I need.
Ben and Lenny Kravitz (left) and John Mayer (right)
What book is on your nightstand?
The one I’m writing :)
Ben with Entrepreneur Magazine, article includes a photo of his grandfather’s watch.
Favorite restaurant in your city?
ZZ’s club in Hudson Yards (yes, Hudson Yards) has been my favorite recently. It was founded by my old friend Mario Carbone (who I’ve known for 10+ years and was an early guest in our magazine) and it combines the opulence and grandeur you’d might expect from Carbone plus simply the absolute best quality meat and fish you could conceive of. It is always a thrill to take people there for the first time because it is not a normal experience.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 Limited Edition For HODINKEE (left), Hermès Slim D'Hermès For HODINKEE (right)
Who do you look up to and why?
As Ferris Bueller once paraphrased the great John Lennon: “I don’t believe in the Beatles, I just believe in me.” I somewhat subscribe to that. As I’ve grown and evolved I realize there is no one singular man or woman who has it all figured out. There is much to admire from so many people in my life, but I don’t look up to any one man or woman singularly, and instead look to funnel the best of others into myself, for me. However, I admire the creativity and kindness of John Mayer. I admire the intellect, awareness, and perspective of a psychiatrist and author named Paul Conti, I admire the business acumen of my friend and mentor Tony Fadell, but above it all, I admire the silliness of my son Oliver, the sweetness and resolve of my daughter Georgie, and the incredible grace and positivity of my wife Cara.
Ben with his car
What are the last five songs you listened to?
This says it all about my life at present:
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