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 Cartier Cougar wristwatch. A beautiful, striking and yet quite subtle model from the extensive Cartier watch line. This is perhaps one of the less seen of the range of wrist watch models from this storied French icon. The Cougar was launched in 1989, also being blessed with a feline associated name much like its cousin the Panthere. There is a constant cat theme within the Cartier lineage, and this model was introduced in order to continue and evolve and develop that.

In 1914, Louis Cartier commissioned French illustrator George Barbier to draw a “Lady with a Panther”, to be later used in advertising. From this moment, the black panther, leopards, chetahs and tigers featured across both watches and jewellery for the luxury atelier. This was further reinforced after the appointment of Jeanne Toussaint. After joining Cartier in 1918, she became known as “La Panthère” for her unique style and captivating personality. By 1933 Toussaint was announced by Louis Cartier as Artistic Director of High Jewellery. From this position "La Panthère" maintained the appearance of feline forms and details throughout the creations of the team of artisans and artists creating the sublime and sumptuous pieces.

This model was an of evolution of form from the launch of the iconic Panthère in 1984. Moving away from the cushion case to a more rounded design, this watch takes a number of design cues from its predecessor; the riveted style bezel, quite simple and clean design, a crown guard protecting the winding crown, and same bracelet design and closure. It is simply a cat, but of another breed. These models presented the opportunity to have a chic, classy and stylish watch which was also quite sporty. The cases are thinner in profile and without a mechanical movement, they are more durable. Many of these watches were seen on the golf courses, tennis courts and beaches of the world's most elegant places in the 1980's and '90s.

The dial on this example is the opposite of iconic Cartier design; egg shell dial, black Roman numerals, blue steeled hands and the discreet "hidden" signature. This time a very bright, almost sky blue enamel, glossy dial is used. Princess cut diamonds, probably just over .15 carat in size, pick out each hour marker, and the "Cartier" signature and "Swiss" below the six o'clock marker, are printed in a gilt font that stands out beautifully from the dial. Again, another step away from classic Cartier styling is the use of a diamond set into the crown, instead of the classic cabochon sapphire. This design cue would later on become the hallmark for their highest level of watch making, known as the "CPCP" or "Priveé Collection". So, this watch was an early trendsetter towards that design adoption.

As aforementioned, the bracelet, in solid eighteen carat yellow gold, is the same one used on the Panthère, only this time having a rounded end links fitting flush into the case. It has the classic double opening deployant system which was used throughout the Cartier line at this time. A number of the links have small gold screws in the sides which allow them to be added or removed.

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. The watch has been very lightly polished over the years, and is presented in stunning condition throughout.

Both this and the Panthère were introduced at a great time in Cartier's history. The houses had once again been unified. The Cartier Museum was now up and running, as was the Cartier Foundation. The business had achieved over $1 billion in sales, and this model was produced hot off the heels of the acquisition of Baume & Mercier and Piaget. This is a rare chance to own an unusual piece of vintage Cartier history. Should this size be too big, we have also listed the "her" version to this watch as well as the then "his". This watch wears very comfortably and is suitable for any size wrist. A rare chance to own this watch with this superb dial in stunning condition.


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Item Dimensions
Lug Length
1.5 inches (3.81cm)
Case Width
1.261 inches (3.20294cm)