1

A Day
Observed

A story presented by

Scene 1:
‘Morning’

It was a bright cold day with glassy surfaces that looked hard.
Into the square frame he stood as if in a dream.

What emerged was precisely what he expected to find: a reflection of memory images. Contemplating his face in the photo frame he waited.

1960s lucite and chrome 3 image photo frame

By the steady hands of his watch, he listened to time. Every day for the past sixteen days he saw her. Silver lingered in the crease of
an open book.

Rolex burlwood dial, Jubilee bracelet Miniature
oar English university trophy, sterling silver.

So absorbed in his thoughts
he hardly saw the platinum catch-all, the key, or the revelation locked inside those lapis lazuli cufflinks tossed unmistakably in cold blue.

Hans Hanson catch-all. Mid-century, Danish sterling silver. Stirrup money clip, by Hermès. Padlock keyring, sterling silver " Tie bar-slide " Round lapis lazuli cufflinks" Square cufflinks, two tone rose and yellow gold, diamond."

Only by whirling on his heel could he hope to comprehend
the panorama.

Shoe horn, circa 1930. American sterling silver
Scene 2:
‘Noon’

He remained.Trapped in that enormous room,
unmistakably familiar in feeling yet so peculiar.

Above the mantle was
displayed an Austrian hound
of impeccable integrity.

Hagenauer sculpture, 1930

His gaze fell on the letter opener. By accident she had learnt more about his life from the contents of that letter than anywhere.

Dunhill letter opener with lighter top, circa 1950

Cleopatra’s eye reflected
the sun. Through the hypnotism
of precious metals there
emerged a dark slender shadow.

Cleopatra’s eye magnifying glass. Mid-century, gold plated
Hermès weighted pen. Silver plated.

A lighter presented itself, smooth to the touch
it gave the impression of
intelligent company.

Table lighter St Dupont, circa 1960. Gold plate
Scene 3:
‘Evening’

All this time light was receding from the room.

“I should explain why I spend so much time here”, said the silhouette. Leaves moved like shadows across her eyes.

Hermès rope bottle opener. Plated silver.

It’s not too late to turn back. Time moved with faint sounds.

Venini hourglass. Hand-blown lurid Murano glass.

He unscrewed the telescopic cup, rolled and remained still. Black eyes on the dice prophesied a new cycle.

Telescopic cup, J. E. Cauldwell. Gold plated. Dice,
Cartier for America. Vitreous enamel glass, silver

Staring down at the varnished surface her mouth worried him while her eyes examined the gold cufflink.

Audemar Piguet evening watch. gold plated, Roman dial, alligator strap
Scene 4:
‘Night’

Everything went crashing black.

Pale graceful hands placed
the gold stud box delicately
on the table.

Men’s Edwardian jewellery box, 1910. Gold plated.
Mid-century British cigar ashtray. Sterling silver and crystal.

He lit a match to make sure the watch had really stopped. Smoke lingered from its vesta case.

Realist wrapped tobacco leaf march vesta. Silver.

As the travel clock neared
one the figure vanished into dappled shadows.

Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre travel clock.
Gold and silver plated. Retailed by Aspray.

On the newly varnished table two bronze shot cups sat alive like in a dream.

Tooth shot cup by Foundwell. Bronze and silver plated.
Set of 4, 3 silver 1 gold. Heath & Midleton champagne decanters circa 1900.
Sterling silver and glass.
The End

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy, creative direction OK-RM,
notes by Kate O’Brien and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy,
creative direction OK-RM
notes by Kate O’Brien
and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

Early and Rare Sterling Silver Gorham Martini Mixing Bucket

Golf Cocktail Shaker
and Matching Golf Bag Cup

Sterling Silver Woven Bottle Coaster

Foundwell

A SELECTION OF ITEMS BY THE PRODUCER OF
CRAFTED GOODS & PURVEYOR OF ANTIQUE WATCHES,
JEWELLERY & OTHER SUCH OBJECTS

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A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Omega time only watch made for the 1956 XVI Melbourne Olympic games.   This reference 2850 SC is an unusual and extremely handsome watch which was made to commemorate the first time the Olympics had made its way to the Southern Hemisphere.  In 1952, Omega was awarded the Olympic cross of merit for their twenty years of service as official timekeeper of the games. To commemorate the achievement, the brand developed these very special watches to be released in time for the 16th summer games.

With an exceptionally thick and beautifully designed solid yellow  gold case construction and a lacquered dial featuring applied, highly stylised solid gold Olympic XVI, the Seamaster XVI is very much  unique and exceptional quality wrist watch.   Two designs were introduced for the games, with only this one being "officially" approved. An estimated one hundred pieces featuring the cross logo with rings.  It is said production was halted by Omega as they did not properly clear the use of the cross logo. This more common Seamaster XVI variant with no cross or rings on the dial, but rather an applied Roman numeral XVI, replaced it.

One of the first things that strikes you when handling the watch is the overall weight.  It is not to say that Omega didn't always make great cases. But, it is fair to say for this important watch, they went over and above.  In order to achieve that, they subcontracted one of the best watch case makers in the world; Ed. Wenger SA. Wenger   built the cases of many legendary Patek Philippe watches over the years. Icons like the reference 2499 perpetual calendar chronographs and reference 2497 perpetual calendars.  It has to be said, that this stands out when holding, and inspecting the case.  The design, with its dog leg lugs and unusual stepped crown exudes quality, and a special watch.  Not to mention the inclusion of the Cross of Merit Olympic logo, maligned initially on the dial, now die stamped into the case back.

Another element that makes this example quite unusual is the dial.  Often with these "XVI" dials are gold.  However, a small number were actually lacquered.  More often than not finding themselves into pink gold cases, this one appears in the yellow. This dial is also beautiful in the way it has aged. It has taken on a crazed, almost crackle glaze like a fine piece of ceramic.  This can be seen in the close up image.  The large coffin markers are also beautiful and wonderfully executed.  They are very much in synergy with the applied gold Omega symbol and logo, and, of course, the XVI as mentioned prior, with black Seamaster painted above in the iconic font.  The hands are simple, yet perfect solid gold dauphine example paired with a classic tapered center sweep seconds hand.

The watch is powered by the automatic caliber 471 moment.  A beautiful copper, nineteen jewel movement with a forty six hour power reserve.  This movement was a  fairly short run movement in Omega terms, being introduced in 1954 and phased out in 1959.

Overall, this is an exceptional and rare opportunity to own a wonderful piece of both Omega history and Olympic.  Whether you a fan of the Olympics, watches of both, it is rare for examples like this to find their way to market.  Due to design of the case, it is very likely that it is presented in an unpolished condition.  There is light wear overall, but nothing to detract from the appearance.  Superb for a watch now sixty five years old.


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Item Dimensions
Width (not inc crown)
1.34 inches (3.4036cm)
Case Thickness
0.462 inches (1.17348cm)