As you know well, Andrew, but for the benefit of others who may not, Keith Jarrett is a remarkable pianist /composer, equally well known over the last few decades for his avant-garde jazz compositions as for his stylish take on jazz standards and the classics. He is also (and has been for some time, apparently) a watch connoisseur. [Keith, are you out there? Keith?....]
It seemed so 'right' that Francois-Paul Journe should have Keith Jarrett's endorsement: both are avant-garde, both are highly competent, both are innovative. This is from FPJ's 2002 catalogue:
Did the endorsement alone inspire a purchase?
No, it did not.
Did it pique an interest, and inspire further enquiry?
Being perfectly frank? Yes, it did (although an article of like kind by George Clooney or Cindy Crawford certainly would not have done so!).
Did that further enquiry lead to a purchase?
Eventually, yes:
Perhaps, then, the value in 'celebrity' endorsements is not a 'first phase' or immediate connection with a potential purchaser, but a second or even third phase effect - the sowing of a seed, left to germinate and grow if it will. You'd want to pick the right celebrity, though: anyone for O.J.'s Rolex?
;-)
Cheers,
pplater.