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 fourteen carat gold Cartier unusual pocket watch with exterior design of concentric circles circling the case. This is an exceptional quality, Art Deco example is an extremely rare piece, and has featured in reference books on Cartier. The beautifully made solid gold case has an extension to the top of the exterior circle that allows the watch to be worn on a chain as a pendant, as well as giving room for a clip from a pocket watch cain to be attached to it. 

As is often the case with these early pieces retailed by Cartier, they relied on the talnets of the Jaeger LeCoultre watch company to execute their magnificent designs.  Both the case here, and movement are made by LeCoultre, and is fully signed.  As is the case with anything branded only "LeCoultre", this pocket watch was designed for the thriving American market during the "Jazz Age". Hence also the use of "585", or fourteen carat gold which was the standard in the US, as opposed to eighteen in Europe.

This is a very elegant design, and would be an evening pocket watch, or for a lady to wear as a piece of jewellery.  It is not as robust as other, even Cartier designs.  The all original sector dial is stunning.  The Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions are gold, and catch the eye. The minute track and sector elements are applied black paint to the eggshell background of the dial.  There is "Swiss" marked just below the six o'clock portion of the dial.

The outside edge of the concentric case has the full Cartier stamped reference number and is stamped.  It is a little worn, but very legible.  The top of the loop also has French gold marks and "EJ" makers mark for Edmond Jaeger.  There are a series of reference  numbers stamped into the inside of the case, gold marks and again, the "EJ" case makers marks.  

The pocket watch is powered by a manual wind Le Coultre caliber 31.  This ébauche  was based on the Tavannes caliber 064 that was the mainstay for the original Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso model.  This movement was introduced by Jaeger in 1931, and used until 1933 when it was eventually replaced by calibers such as this, in house JLC made movements.

Based on the movement serial number, the watch was Swiss made circa 1936.


Price $0.00

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Item Dimensions
Length to Top
1.75 inches (4.445cm)
Watch Width
1 inches (2.54cm)