Image of watch via TSA

Harmlessly artistic or not, the ‘odd watch’ that triggered a security clampdown and ultimately led to the arrest of the man wearing it ‘looked nefarious’, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

“Is this watch dangerous? Not at all,” TSA blogger Robert Burns wrote on the blog. “However, we didn’t know that until the explosive detection team arrived and cleared the item. You see, when something is considered to be a potential deadly threat, it is protocol not to open the bag.” TSA also refused to be blamed for the man’s arrest. “After clearing the watch, law enforcement officers (not TSA) made the decision to arrest the passenger,” Burns said. “TSA officers do not have the power of arrest.”