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 Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold with factory set diamond lugs and bezel. This is a very rare example of the always advertised "flagship" Rolex watch in the line. Even when this watch was made, in the   1990's, the President was THE Rolex to own.  Having the lugs as well as the bezel diamond set were even further luxury options. As is the factory set dial with both the princess cut and baguette cut diamonds. This watch listed over $50,000 when new, and was not an easy variation of the model to find. The factory diamond set dials were available. The addition of the graduated lugs and bezel setting were lavish and costly extras. This is also something that is more common today, with most authorised dealers stocking such examples.

Arguably, the Rolex Day Date is the ultimate status symbol. It was always portrayed to the public this way by the media team at Rolex, and it was always promoted to world leaders, titans of industry and the sports and movie stars around the globe. Although much has changed with regards to Rolex's offering, and the special variations that are on offer, it was always the "President" that led the way in rare, unusual and gem set variants. This is very much true in this case.

The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956, and a year later was re-modeled as the 6611 and featured the Rolex calibre 1055 movement. This model ran until 1959 when the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement, again. This time the 1555 calibre. The 1803 model with this calibre only ran until 1965 until. At which point it was again, updated. This time Rolex fitted the 1556 calibre. This reference then upgraded to 18030. However, by the time the watch reached the 1990's the reference numbers changed, with this example being branded as the 18388. A very fortuitous reference if the number eight is important to you! This reference was fitted with the caliber 3155.

The other fortuitous element to this later reference is the 'double quick' date setting change. Initial 18030 models were only single quick, changing just the day of the month with a turn of the crown. By this stage, having been introduced in 1988, the movement upgrades included the day of the week. This is also a sapphire crystal, as the Perspex had been upgraded by this stage.

This example is in superb original condition. The case is unpolished, only signs of light wear, and very, very sharp case lines throughout, along with the case feet. When looking at the back of the watch, this confirms no polishing. The original and rare model number case back sticker is present. The edges are all razor sharp, feet again strong, and all the relevant hallmarks with no signs at all of brushing or wear. The original Rolex President bracelet is fully signed on the deployant with all the correct marks and the eighteen carat gold marks, along with correct model numbers on the inside of the end links. The bracelet is very tight with little, to no sag at all. It is on the shorter side having been sized for a smaller wrist. If additional links are needed, this can be arranged.

The dial is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage. It is a classic gold dial fitted to the iconic Day Date, and has the mixture of the baguette and brilliant cut stones on the hour markers.  This dial is a "T Swiss T" dial meaning it features Tritium luminous material. All the original Tritium lume plots are in tact that have toned into a light ivory colour. The printing of the classic serif text is in black, which stands out from the dial, and is all encircled by the outer minute track with small. The classic, solid gold, baton hands contain no luminous material, which is correct and common for later gem set dials. The serial number of this watch is S934XXXX which dates it to circa 1994. All serial and model numbers are clear and present.

This is an exceptional watch, rare today, especially in condition such as this.  Even the original factory, solid eighteen carat gold, spring bars are present.  Which although a minor detail, confirms this watches originality. Given the look of the new model, this now 'vintage' example has much more charm and a beautiful feel to    it.

 


Price $32,500.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.42 inches (3.6068cm)