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 Rolex solid fourteen carat yellow gold Oyster Perpetual model.  This classic and elegant 1500 model is the slightly smaller cased sized version of the iconic Datejust model. This Rolex reference, the 1011 was a later eveolution from the earlier 6092, named after the French word "bombé" meaning rounded or convex, features accentuated lugs that were later nicknamed "Bombay" in the American market. Watches like this, made in fourteen carat, were made exclusively for the American market.  These watches were made with a variety of dials, this one being the classic silver metallic finish.

The case is in superb condition. It is unpolished.  Fortunately many of these bombé cases stay away form the dreaded polishing wheel due to the shape of the lugs.  This early watch also has its original underline Rolex crown. Both sets of engraved serial and model numbers are present between the lugs.

The back of this watch feature a wonderful hand engraved personalisation, and is very much a piece of American mid-century manufacturing history. The watch was presented to a Mr. Leo. A. Clark for twenty years of service to the 7up! bottling company in Los Angeles in 1967. This watch represents an interesting part of the Rolex brand history.  Also, a rare one. Not many of these watches come to market, presumably as they were quite cherished possessions by their prior owners, and not many employees would have qualified for such a gift. In today's transient work world it is hard to imagine for the majooryt of employees to qualify for such a gift of tenure.

The watch is powered by the Rolex automatic calibre 1570 movement.  The inside back of the case is signed '14k', along with all of the relevant Rolex stamps and marks and model number 1011. Both sets of engraved serial and model numbers are present between the lugs. This case serial number is 1,171,XXX, dating this watch production to circa 1967.  

The radiant silver colour dial, and features a full set of luminous markers at the end of each of the gorgeous coffin shape hour markers, and is all original and has not been re-finished.  The original solid gold dauphine hands are present, and also have full lume in tact.  A great piece of American history wrapped up in a Rolex watch.


Price $8,600.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.339 inches (3.40106cm)