This is not just a commentary on Hodinkee but on ANY other publication/blog/podcast, etc doing the same.
For example, I wouldn't consume news reporting on war in [insert conflict] if that publication was sponsored by Raytheon, etc. What kind of objectivity are you going to get from the coverage.
Similarly, I can't read a read of a watch on Hodinkee if I know their editors write them while looking over their shoulder at the Hodinkee Shop performance, where they sell the same item.
Beyer and Tiffany's don't have a watch blog - they are retailers - so their ONLY job is to sell product, NOT review/provide opinion on the same product
Need to have separation of "church and state".
My $0.02