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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An example of one of the most iconic and sought after wrist watches. The Omega Speedmaster is renowned for accompanying astronauts on their voyages into space during the 1960's space race, and has become one of the most iconic, and recognisable sports watches in the world. This particular example is a 'pre-moon' version, meaning that it was made before the watch embarked on space travel.  The model was launched as part of the Omega "Professional" collection, to sit beside the Railmaster and the Seamaster in 1957.  This model presented here, ST145.012-67` is almost as important as the first model launched as it is the model that landed on the moon.   

This was the watch worn by both Neil Armstrong AND Buzz Aldrin during Apollo XI mission, July 20th, 1969. This model also provides the transitional model between the first Speedmaster models, and the later modern versions.  This new case introduced faceted   ‘Lyre lugs’, the case grew to 42mm, and membranes were introduced into the case next to the pushers for improved water resistance.  However, it still maintained  the 321 calibre movement.  This was the last model, with the 145.012 to use it before the shift to the 861.  

Both the crown and the pushers on the watch are later replacements.  This is very common on early Speedmasters, and does not detract from the watch as a whole.  The crown is a thirty two teeth "wide Omega" crown used in the 1960's and 1970's, so it is an early replacement.  The pushers are not the wide and short version fitted originally. They are still factory Omega parts, just later and a little longer. But, again, do not detract overall.  All of this is being explained for complete clarity.

The unusual bezel on this watch is the "Decimal" scale bezel.  A departure from the more common tachymeter bezel, from this period having the dot over the ninety.  These bezels were introduced onto Speedmaster watches from around 1960/1 and were fitted throughout the 1960's, and was a correct option for this watch, less common and quite collectible in themselves.

Another unusual feature to this particular example is the bracelet fitted to the watch.  The classic flat link bracelet with expandable end links was finally updated in the mid 1960's and remained on the watch until the early 1970's.  This bracelet features five arched links, two of which are narrow, flanking the center link.  The correct "575" stamped end links are present. This was also the first time that Omega did not date stamp the clasp.  This was issued to 105.012 watches, and again, is correct to be fitted here, being that they delivered circa 1966/7.

The stepped   dial on this   watch is in excellent   condition overall still showing original long lume on all of the hour markers that breach the step.  This dial is known as the "spaced T" dial.  It has the applied metal   Omega logo," Professional" inscription, a space "T SWISS T" at the foot of the dial.  It is possible that the hands have been   relumed at some stage. The  "non-moon landing" case back is, of course correct, and features the double bezel and was the last Speedmaster to feature this caseback.

Overall this watch is in excellent condition.  The case has wear and marks to it, as you would come to expect from a tool watch that is now nearly sixty years old.  However, it represents a rare chance to buy a pre-moon Speedmaster reference that was part of the most memorable moment in human history.


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Item Dimensions
Case Width (not inc crown)
1.654 inches (4.20116cm)