Image Projection : Timing is Important

(This recommendation by Wayne Roy - C.Q.C. and I.P. Consultant)

In Close Quarters Protection, everything about how you present yourself makes a statement about your character, and your standard of professionalism.  So it's important that you give some thought to the image you project.  Even your watch should express qualities that clients want to see in a C.Q.P. Operator :

• professional in all situations
• capable in all situations
• reliable in all situations.

 To achieve this, you might want to consider having a watch that's:

• simple, strong and functional
• with an obvious quality
• and an understated elegance.

Watches with these qualities are what I call 'get-the-job-done' watches.  They have:

• a timing bezel
• a glow in the dark face
• and often an extra button or dial.

Why are these features useful?  Because a professional needs those features in order to get the job done properly and efficiently.

When it comes to personal choice in a 'get-the-job-done' watch, you can wear either:

• a silver, gold, or black casing
• a face that's black, white, or coloured


• a metal band, leather band, or rubber.

Most watches these days have metal bands... but if you prefer the look of a leather band, keep in mind that it should have a strong bulky look, possibly with feature stitching.

Some people prefer rubber watchbands.  In fact, even some of the expensive brands produce models with rubber bands these days.  No doubt it's a practical feature that survives the elements in extreme conditions.

However a rubber band shouldn't look thin or weak... nor should it look too much like an adventurer's watch if you don't actually go on extreme adventures on a regular basis.

In other words, it's important not to look like you're pretending to be something you're not - which is a popular trend in western society these days.

It's all a matter of ethics - a sign of your strength of character.  Your watch should make a statement about who you are and what you do... not what you want to pretend to be.

As an example, the watch below is a 'Special Forces' model that's featured on the TV show Burn Notice.  But unless you're ex CIA, a Navy Seal or a fighter-pilot, it's a bit over the top for protecting corporate clients and celebrities. 

In other words, it can look like you're trying too hard to bolster your image by having a watch with features that go way beyond what you really need.

In contrast to that, the watch below is a Sinn GSG9.  It's worn by many of the world's leading counter-terrorist groups.  It's made from German U-Boat steel - the most non corrosive steel in the world - and filled with hydraulic oil so that there's no fogging, no matter what the depth.

Overall the watch has all the qualities of an Alpha personality... it's simple, strong and functional, with an obvious quality, and an understated elegance.

In other words it makes a subtle but strong statement about your character.  It says you're a serious professional... no nonsense... reliable.

To finish, I'd like to leave you with a quote from Hans van Beuge of Savior Services:

"Image Projection is one of the most important aspects of protection work, as it promotes deterrence.  Presenting a viable, tough, strong, competent image while appearing stylish aids in successful operational accomplishment."