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 gold and pavé set Cartier Colisée wristwatch.  An absolutely stunning, rare and high quality piece of haute horology meets jewellery.  Such can be the quality and design expertise when Cartier set their minds to creating new shapes and case designs that they become a crossover between a jewellery piece, and a watch.  This very much has the elegance of a gold bracelet.

This model is an iteration of the Colisée collection.  When this watch was launched it was part of a collection of earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets that all were modeled around interlocking bombé shapes and forms.  As a result of which this case and links retain a bombé shape and interlock.  It came in all gold, and in exceptionally low numbers, with full pavé center links to the bracelet that match the "lugs" of the case.  Only one such example could be found.  With no others in this design showing up.

The dial is everything one comes to love about Cartier watches; egg shell dial, black Roman numerals, blue steeled hands and the discreet "hidden" signature.  This time located at the ten o'clock position.  As is the case with most watches from this period, the dial is signed "Swiss" below the six o'clock marker, it is floating quite prominently at the tops of the five and seven o'clock markers.  One of the most beautiful features to the watch is the large, inversely set, diamond into the crown.  Classically Cartier fit sapphires in to the crown, but for their highest level of watch making, this made way for diamonds.  This watch would most likely have been included in the Priveé Collection.

As aforementioned, the watch is essentially a Cartier bracelet.  Just having the added beauty of featuring a way to tell time as well.  The bracelet measures seven and one quarter inches long.  It is made to the levels one comes to expect with Cartier, and has two removable screws on the back of each link, meaning it can be sized to fit any wrist.  The case is set with thirty four brilliant cut, beautiful and bright diamonds.  Each of the details into the bracelet are also set with eight diamonds of the same size, and then one larger approximately quarter carat brilliant cut diamond.

The fully signed and hallmarked watch case back is held in place by a number of small gold screws, beneath which is a Cartier quartz movement.  The watch is very rare for examples of this time; it is complete with the original box and all the original paperwork.  Even with a service receipt from a new battery change at Cartier seven years ago.  The watch has never been polished, and is presented in stunning condition throughout. This is an incredibly rare chance to own a stunning piece of vintage Cartier  history.


Price $11,750.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Height
0.21 inches (0.5334cm)
Case Width
0.942 inches (2.39268cm)