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 pink, or rose gold, large cased automatic Omega Day Date Constellation watch. This is an exceptionally handsome piece and very rare model found in this stunning hue of eighteen carat gold. This is also a lovely size for watches from this period. Watches tended to be thirty three millimeters in size, or less. But, this case measures thirty five millimeters, not including the crown, and with a thick, wide-body case stretching the length to forty millimeters long, so it wears even larger. This model of the beloved "Connie" was a slightly later example that saw the introduction of the fluted bezel which began in 1966.

They are easy to wear, a great size, and will look as good with jeans and a white t-shirt as they will with a suit and tie. Omega has a long history and vast product range, and one of the classic watches the company still produces is the Constellation. First introduced into the line in 1952, it remains a cornerstone of the brand today.

This Constellation example dates to the early 1960's which saw the launch of this new larger, thicker and bolder case design. This was a departure from the classic dog leg versions that dominated the 1950's. These watches have gone on to be known as the 'C-Shape'. The C-Shape was Omega's third execution of the Constellation collection and introduced in 1964, having been designed by, none other than, famed watch designer; Gerald Genta, who would later go on to design the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Nautilus. The "C-Shape Era" lasted for 14 years - from 1964-78

The flagship of the Omega line was given a couple of characteristics that would go on to define the collection. The dial has the ‘Constellation’ branding printed on it, and you will notice the applied star logo. On the heavy and highly detailed case-back is a depiction of the Geneva Observatory, with eight stars that represent the eight observatory chronometer competitions Omega won in the 20th century. The iconic dome of the Geneva Observatory (Observatoire de Genève), built in 1830 and demolished in 1969, tested chronometers for the Swiss watch industry.

These high grade automatic movements made for the Constellation line are chronometer-rated, which is printed on the beautiful silver frosted dial. The movement featured here is the automatic caliber 751. Omega's caliber 751 is a long-overlooked sibling of the renowned mid-500 series. Despite its humble origins, this 24-jewel movement had a successful commercial run of about nine years until the Swiss watch crisis hit in the mid-1970s.

The 751's base is the 17-jewel caliber 563, with key components sourced from the caliber 551, including the rotor bridge and lower rotor bridge. A new plate was designed to accommodate the day/date function, and the 563's date indicator was flattened to fit the revised configuration. However, the core date mechanism and quickset function remain identical to the modified caliber 563/564 models.

To enable the day function, Omega engineered a new day dial with a star assembly that connected to the center wheel. The day advance operation mimics the manual date change of the earlier caliber 561 non-quickset movements.

Although overshadowed by the Constellation, the 751 was the last of Omega's great in-house production movements. It powered Constellations from 1966 to 1975 and was also used in the prestigious "Golden" Seamaster, a rare 18k gold model of which only around 1,000 were ever made.

Today, discerning collectors are starting to recognize the 751's direct lineage to the celebrated caliber 551 and its inherent quality. Like its esteemed forebears, the 751 represents the pinnacle of Omega's watchmaking prowess, despite its status as the "baby" of the mid-500 family.

The watch is in exceptional condition. It is almost fair to say this watch has barely ever been worn. The case is unpolished with very clean and sharp lines throughout, still featuring a crisp, un-rubbed, hallmark on the inside of the lug. The case back is fully signed Omega, with model number '168029' along with the Swiss poinçon mark and maker key symbol 1. The movement serial number is stamped onto the bridge. This watch, with a 21.6 million movement number, dates it to 1968. This reference was introduced in 1967 and ran until 1972.

The exquisite frosted silver coloured dial is beautiful and very clean looking, really catching the light. The printing on the dial is a black, classic, Omega font. Being the chronometer rated watch it has four lines of text beneath the pink gold applied Omega logo and branding. The hours are marked out via a series of classic pink gold stick markers with black enamel applied to the centers. Below this it is signed "Swiss Made". Note there is no luminous material applied to the dial or hand set. The original eighteen carat pink gold hands and also have been painted with black enamel to make them easier to track with the eye, and are paired with a beautiful pink gold center sweep hand.

This is a very beautiful and unusual reference in superb, almost 'New Old Stock' condition, exceptional for a watch now nearly sixty years of age. It is presented on an original, period correct, brown alligator Omega branded strap and a superb and elegant Omega signed, gold plated, buckle that allows the tab of the band to be tucked under the strap, giving an elegant and refined look. This combination of frosted dial and engine turned bezel makes it the most unusual of all of the C-shape cases made.  Add into this the pink gold material, and it is by far the most rare example of this model ever made.

The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty. There is no box or original paperwork.  The service history of the watch is no know.


Price $5,895.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.378 inches (3.50012cm)