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 Oyster Perpetual Datejust in stainless steel with a factory sodalite and diamond dial reference 16234 model.  This is a very rare take on the classic Rolex Datejust watch from the brand’s y2k collection. When many were wondering if airlines would fall out of the sky and their 401k’s would turn to zero, Rolex was seeking out rare and precious stones to place into the dials of their watch offerings. This was not just limited to the 36mm cases of the Datejust and the Day Date – they also offered them in the smaller 26mm cases of the Datejust. This example features a sapphire crystal, which makes these models more durable and water resistant than their earlier plastic/acrylic siblings. With its classic dial offerings, the Datejust is easy to love; but with this stunning stone dial (set with Rolex selected diamonds), it becomes something that is highly covetable.


Rolex selected a number of different hard stones to adorn their cases: coral, tigers eye, malachite, lapis and, in this case, the sodalite. These dials are very eye-catching, adding an extra-special something to the beauty of these iconic watches. This is a non luminous dial as was common with the majority of stone dials.  The white gold hands also have no space for the luminous material.  The white printing on the dial stands out beautifully from the mottled blue. “Swiss Made” marks the base of the dial, which is non-luminous with matching non-luminous solid 18K white gold hands. Being that the hours are marked with diamonds, set in white gold surrounds, there is also no place for luminous plots here. The dial is all original and remains untouched in perfect condition, which, sadly, is not always the case with many other stone dials. So fine is the cutting of the stone for the dials that excessive wear – or careless watch makers – can result in hairline cracking. So, it is highly important that they are checked and remain in perfect condition.


The watch was made circa 2000 with serial number P953XXX The case is in excellent condition throughout and appears to have never been polished. This is a “no holes” case, meaning that the lug holes are not drilled and exposed from the sides, making for a cleaner finish. The original Jubilee link bracelet is in excellent condition with very little sag, and no heavy scratching to the deployant buckle. This watch is presented with its original Rolex plastic tag with serial number sticker and wax seal tag. Sadly, however, the original warranty paperwork has been separated from this group. 


This watch really is a fine and very rare example of the classic Rolex Datejust and is increasingly hard to find today. Not to mention, the stone selected for this case is particularly special.  This is a piece for someone who wants something classic in design but with an extra special added detail.  The sodalite stone dials are also interesting in that they only ever came in white cases.  Either white gold or stainless steel and white gold.  They never appeared in yellow gold cases.  Along with this, according to the hue of the stone and the particular striations, either white or black printing was chosen.  That makes this version of the stone dial Rolex watches quite interesting. 

 


Price $16,750.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.417 inches (3.59918cm)