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 Vulcain Exactomatic. This is a very rare and high quality reference that is not a commonly found. This watch has the date complication at the three o'clock position, in itself not revolutionary for a watch from the 1950's. However, this is an early "quick set" date complication. The adding of a push button to the two o'clock position allows the rare, all red, date to be jumped through without having to move the time through twenty four hours to reach the date required. This heavy, screw back, automatic watch was a high end and expensive wrist watch from a brand that was very well known for its "Cricket: alarm model.

The Exactomatic system, a patented 1946 innovation by Vulcain, was engineered to elevate the precision and dependability of their watches. By ingeniously modifying the Incabloc endstones, a core component of the watch's shock protection mechanism, the Exactomatic equalizes friction on the balance-wheel axis across all positions. As a result, this pioneering system enhances accuracy, optimizes the watch's regulation, and guarantees a more consistent amplitude. In this case the ebauche chosen is an A. Schilds caliber 1476N. From here the engineers at Vulcain adapted the movement to include the Exactomatic components. 

The case is exceptionally made. The case back is a thick, heavy gauge, solid gold screw back, waterproof backing. The inside of the case back has stunning micro piolage polishing. The type of high level finishing that was only undertaken by the best case makers, and on expensive watches. This can be explained by the fact that the case was made by Swiss case makers; Alcide Guyot & Cie SA. Their maker's mark is the hammer head with number 122. Started by Alcide Guyot in 1934, they worked on cases for a number of watch makers and pocket watches. The high quality and exceptionally difficult coin pocket watches have been made by them, and watches for brands from Eska,  Agassiz and even Patek Philippe. The company has subsequently been absorbed by Oreade Manufacture de boîtes SA since 2004. 

The case appears to be unpolished, with Swiss hallmarks on the side of the case, and the underneath of the lug still present. The model number and case serial numbers on the case back are still as crisp as the day they were stamped. There are some scratches on the case back, and two small dents.

The dial is all original and in superb condition with a gorgeous looking patna baked into the finish now. Each of the applied solid gold arrow head hour markers are flanked by the drilled minute track. The original dauphine hands with sweep center mounted second hand are present. This watch is also a non-luminous dial and hand set.

The dial is stamped "Swiss Made" at the foot of the dial, as well as "Automatico". This in itself is very rare to be spelled in Spanish. However, this could explain the rare eighteen carat gold case as well. This is very likely to have been made for the South American market in the 1950's. We have not been able to find another example of this watch, making it a very special and unique piece.

There is no original box or paperwork presented with the watch. The watch has recently been serviced and is keeping good time.


Price $3,695.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Diameter
1.358268 inches (3.45000072cm)