It’s all in the label

According to a survey in the national press this month, when a woman meets a man, the first thing she looks at will be his eyes, followed by his derrière and groin area. This reaction is instinctive, and happens in a split second. It is beyond the woman’s ability to control this, and she doesn’t even realise she’s doing it. From personal experience, to that list I would also add, “ His watch”.

At some point during the first time you meet a guy, you do tend to take in his smile, the way his hips curve into his ass, and his…er…bulge. Very instinctive. It’s true. Goes back to the stone age (at least that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it). Men have the same kind of reaction when they meet a woman, so the research goes, only they look at a woman’s breasts first, before the face (which explains a lot, in my case)

However it’s also true that most women judge the initial attractiveness of a potentional mate by his perceived image and status. This is largely measured by his appearance, but not in the obvious way you think. The clothes are relatively unimportant. Personally I automatically steer clear of men dripping in flashy designer clothes. Scruffy guys can still be worthy mates, because they have inner intelligence, and there’s also the shabby chic argument. Likewise with the shoes. Many men wear trainers all the time, so you can’t really tell, but the status and success of a man can often be judged by his watch.

Each watch tells the time as well as all other watches, so how much you pay makes no difference to its functionality. But still people fall for the clever marketing. Nothing says “I’m a rich successful male and a worthy mate” as well as a designer watch. A watch isn’t just a clock nowadays, it’s a conduit of information that tells us about the man who is wearing it.

It works, believe me.
If you wanna boost your image or pull the chix, get a designer watch. Nothing says “I am a rich successful guy, come shag me” as much as a watch. Combine that with a big camera, and pow, you’re a rich successful photographer who is obviously extremely successful, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to afford the expensive watch or camera in the first place. It doesn’t really matter to the woman if the camera is actually expensive, as long as it’s big (unless of course she knows a bit about cameras, whereupon she’ll probably be more interested in your camera label than watch, and it will therefore be a match made in heaven, so grab her quick and never, ever let her go)

So how do you choose the right watch ? You’d better do your homework carefully because the watch you wear reflects your personality.

A low-budget Seiko/Seconda kinetic watch is worn by a reliable, ethical ecology-loving guy, who is caring, considerate, but not necessarily aggressive or phenomenally successful. A Rolex is worn by rich outdoor guys who are athletic, whilst being fairly flashy and obvious. A Patek Philippe is not a watch – it is a heirloom to pass on to your son, thus making you ideal husband material (because it shows you want sons). A Tag Heuer says you are the sporty successful type, who is incredibly elegant with impeccable taste, subtle as well as highly intelligent. A Breitling is the epitome of manliness, it suggests that you are a mega-successful photographer, and when you aren’t photographing a gorgeous semi-clad model for the latest Harpers and Queen spread, you’re off piloting a light plane in the Sahara desert.

I’m not making this up. This stuff really works.
Ask my father-in-law (fake Breitling. The women love him)

About 15 years ago, in those days when we still had money (and no kids) I bought Rich a Tag Heuer. Since then, his attractiveness to women increases measurably when he wears his watch. It can be quite funny to observe. We have had quite a few women who have suddenly…er…..increased their level of friendliness towards him after catching a glimpse of his wrist. And I include several models in this too.

I’m as guilty of this as the next woman. I’m not normally drawn to men by appearance (personality, personality, personality), but even I can fall for this trick. Last year, a photographer came for tea, very nice looking, penetrating eyes, nice derrière, but after I caught a glimpse of that Vintage Rolex. Well, say no more, ladies. Part of me thought “Ooh, he’s obviously VERY successful. I’d like to shoot with him” (purely for artistic purposes, you understand). And those penetrating eyes stayed with me for a while afterwards too.

Of course this is fairly gross coming from a 40 year old married woman. But you see my point?

Shallow isn’t it?
Such things shouldn’t matter.
People shouldn’t be judged by the labels they wear.
But they are.

This is why I love nude photography so much. If you strip off the clothes, shoes and watch, then the shedding of the outer layers reveals the truth underneath.

No labels. No pretending. Just the flesh and soul of the real person.




Sirensong. Beautiful in both flesh and soul.