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 Tonneau Bambou wristwatch.  An absolutely stunning, rare and incredibly 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 cross over between a jewellery piece, and a watch.  

This model is an iteration of the classic Bambou (bamboo) model introduced in the 1970's where the case was a soft rectangle formed by pieces of bamboo, and was delivered in both men's and ladies case sizes.  This was also part of the jewellery collection that was introduced in the 1990's.  The Cartier house was constantly taking inspiration from the beauty and splendor of Asia for both Mystery Clocks, jewellery and watches alike from as far back as the 1920's.  When this watch was launched it was part of a collection of earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets that all were modeled of this thicker, more stylized bamboo look that what had preceded.  As a result of which this case is very thick, rounded and frames the watch beautifully.  Unlike the initial Bambou watch, this new shape was tonneau.  It was also not launched for men.  It came in all gold, and in exceptionally low numbers, in full pavé, such as the example currently presented.

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 was the case with their finest works in watch making, the dial is signed "Paris", and not "Swiss".  So proud of this were they that, rather than placing it below the six o'clock marker, it is floating quite prominently at the tops of the five and seven o'clock markers.  The original crystal is fitted to the watch and has an elegant bombe shape.  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.

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.  Another beautiful and rare for this era detail to this watch is found on the outside buckle part of the deployant,  This area is also pavé set.  This watch came to us privately, and was in fact the most expensive Cartier watch when bought from the Cartier boutique in 1997.  This is an incredibly rare chance to own a stunning piece of vintage Cartier  history.


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Item Dimensions
Case Height
1.38 inches (3.5052cm)
Case Width
1.024 inches (2.60096cm)