Five Unusual Celebrity Ambassadors for Seiko, Speake-Marin, Rolex, and More
This article explores five surprising celebrity endorsements in the watch industry, highlighting unique partnerships that go beyond typical celebrity watch spotting. It delves into the mechanics of how these relationships form and their impact on brand perception, featuring figures like Kate Bush for Seiko and Peter Benchley for Rolex.
Kate Bush, an enigmatic English singer-songwriter known for her reclusive nature, appeared in a series of advertisements for Seiko in the late 1970s, featuring her song "Them Heavy People" and a motorcycle.
Peter Benchley, author of "Jaws," was associated with Rolex following the novel and film's success, advocating for marine conservation and appearing in Submariner advertisements, while also known to wear an Explorer II (reference 1655).
Pierce Brosnan served as a Speake-Marin ambassador from 2015 to 2018, a partnership that reportedly began organically after he met founder Peter Speake while playing a watchmaker/assassin in the film "Survivor."
The article notes that Rolex has historically partnered with cultural figures beyond movie stars and athletes, including writers, artists, and scientists, pioneering a strategy adopted by other brands later.
Seiko's use of a young pop star like Kate Bush for watch advertisements in the UK during the late 1970s is highlighted as a novel marketing approach for the brand at the time.