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 mechanical Cartier Tank Louis Ultra Thin. Perhaps one of the most iconic watches of all time (and certainly one that has been desired by and worn by some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th Century to this current day). In fact, it feels that this special gem of watch design is actually entering into a renaissance in its desirability and collectibility – especially original mechanical examples from this era.


The watch has all the details that Cartier lovers flock to the brand for – the Roman numeral dial, chemin de fer minute track, epée, sword, blued steel hands and a large bullet shaped blue sapphire set winding crown. The original “Swiss” stamped dial is in excellent condition with no signs of crazing or damage from moisture or dirt, as can often be the case with these watches that can suffer from not being very tightly sealed.  This is not a "Swiss Made" service dial, but the original "SWISS" stamped dial. The case shows signs no sign of polishing over the years and all of the stamping and unique Cartier reference numbers are still visible on the case back.


This case is known as the "Ultra Thin”, also known as the “Extra Plat” version, reference 96019, of the Tank Louis and differs from the classic Tank Louis, reference 78086, in size. This model measures 24mm x 30mm, as opposed to the 23mm x 30mm of the classic. The way the case is made is also different. One can notice that the retaining screws for the case back are set into the corners of the case back, as opposed to the sides of the case itself in the classic. This allows for a cleaner case visually when on the wrist.


An additional element to the ultra Thin that makes it more desirable is the caliber of movement fitted to power the watch.  The classic mechanical Tank Louis is powered by a manually wound, ETA 2512 caliber mechanical movement. This seventeen jewel movement features incabloc shock protection and is a fairly rudimentary, but reliable, movement that powered the vast number of Cartier watches from the mid 1970’s through to the early 1980’s. However, this version is powered by the F. Piguet caliber 21. This is a remarkable movement for a couple of different reasons; this movement was developed all the way back in 1925. It has been the basis for calibers from the likes of IWC, with the caliber 171, Rolex, with the caliber 650, Patek Philippe, with the caliber 175 and 177 to name but three. The additional remarkable feature is that it is still in use today! There are very few movements indeed that have remained in production for such a long time.


It is also worth noting that twenty years after its initial launch, once the original patent had expired, both Audemars Piguet caliber 2003, introduced in 1946, and then the Piaget Caliber 9P, introduced in 1957 used this caliber 21 as its inspiration carrying on the amazing work the original movement designers pioneered back in 1925.


The watch has the Cartier signature still clear on the case back, along with the unique reference number. The inside of which is fully stamped with Cartier control marks and gold assay marks.  There is the original owner’s name engraved onto the back. The watch was purchased from the family of the original owner, having been bought in London in the 1980’s by Mr. R. Page.


Overall, this is a wonderful example of the classic Cartier icon in superb original, untouched, condition.  Please note there some scratches to the original mineral crystal, and some light scratches to the case.  The watch is fitted to a burgindy lizard watch band with a nondescript buckle  A model that is increasingly in demand, and very difficult to find today. The Tank Louis worked for the likes of Jackie O. and Andy Wahol and is one that cannot be left out of any serious watch collection.


Price $10,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.02362 inches (2.5999948cm)
Case Length
1.1811 inches (2.999994cm)