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 sold eighteen carat yellow gold and diamonds cocktail watch.  This is perhaps one of the most beautiful and elegant modern timepieces created by one of the finest names in watch making.  Add into the fact that this watch was designed by one of the best names in watch design; Jacqueline Dimier. This is a watch has gone on to be known as one of her creations as there is very well known image of her, that is even featured on the Audemars Piguet website, with her designing it.

Jacqueline Dimier, a graphic designer by training, stumbled into the world of object design through jewelry by chance. For the Geneva-based designer, transitioning into watchmaking was a seamless progression. After a few years, she began presenting watch designs to prestigious brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Rolex. Her remarkable success led Rolex to offer her a position, which she held for seven invaluable years. This experience at Rolex deepened her understanding of the intricate balance between creativity and feasibility, beauty and technique. As every designer knows, an idea only truly comes to life when embodied in a physical object. Crafting timepieces, however, involves significant constraints - these small, complex pieces must not only display the time accurately, but also withstand the rigors of everyday wear that could jeopardize their function.

Dimier went on to create the first ever ladies Royal Oak model. The model 8638 expressed uncompromising radicalism at its birth, before broadening its horizons the following year by adopting gold in addition to steel. Let us look back at this decisive pivot that proved an immediate success.

The watch is powered by AP's smallest caliber quartz movement that is back set through a small setting button on the rear of the watch. The dial is extraordinary.  It has an engine turned pattern running through it and it is highlighted by a stunning large faceted red spinel that casts a gorgeous red hue across the dial. Another elegant feature to the watch is the bracelet that is formed by a series of beads that almost give the feel of fabric passing through a bow or buckle into the head of the watch.  This ties in with the fact that the Baroque was also presented on leather that further demonstrates this design feature Ms. Dimier was imagining.

The case and bracelet are all made in solid eighteen carat yellow gold. The frame of the case is pavé set with princess cut diamonds.  The rear of the case, along with the buckle on the bracelet are all fully signed with both Swiss assay marks and the AP maker marks.  The watch is presented in superb, all original condition, unpolished, and free from condition issues.  The watch is presented with both its original box and AP paperwork,  A new battery has been fitted to the watch, and it is keeping perfect time.

If you are looking for a stunning haute jewelry timepiece with a fabulous history, it is hard to imagine anything more perfect. 

 


Price $11,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Watch Length
1.06299 inches (2.6999946cm)
Watch Width
0.708661 inches (1.79999894cm)