Independents

Maria and Richard made a tourbillon for me in 2004 with their first series. It was their first 3D watch and I went over to their atelier to pick it up. I remember asking about developing a jump second tourbillon cage  and getting that great look from Richard like would you like me to bend the laws of physics while I am at it. It's one of my favorite watches because of the relationship it created with the Habrings. 

Fast forward to a few months ago. I had a short business trip and decided to leave my travel watches at home and wear my tourbillon. I am going through the DFW airport security. I forgot to take off my watch when I got to the metal detector and was sent back to the x-ray machine holding my pants up and shuffling in socks. Security was setting down the small container on the belt as I put the watch in it. The watch slipped out of my hand as I went over the plastic lip and that is when the world went into slow motion. I saw the tourbillon start to fall out of the container, off the conveyer belt and onto the cement floor. I had a split second choice to drop my pants or get the watch. I made the wrong choice. I could see it twisting to its side as it fell. As the world sped back up I picked it up and this is what I saw: