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 yellow gold Cartier Tank Obus on bracelet. A variation of perhaps one of the most iconic watches of all time (and certainly one that has been desired by and worn by some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th Century to this current day). In fact, it feels that this special gem of watch design is actually entering into a renaissance in its desirability and collectibility. When initially launched all the way back in 1922, even the most ardent Cartier employee would have been hard pressed to imagine the watch would still be in the line and as popular as ever over one hundred years on.

This version of the brand's most beloved child came to be known as the Tank Obus. Launched in 1923, it was never a model that was widely produced. It came in both tank and square 

The watch has all the details that Cartier lovers flock to the brand for – the Roman numeral dial with the hidden signature at the seven o’clock position, chemin de fer minute track, blued steel hands, which in this case are the lesser used Breguet style design, and a blue sapphire set winding crown. The “Swiss” signed dial is in excellent condition with no signs of crazing or damage from moisture or dirt, as can often be the case with these watches that can suffer from not being very tightly sealed. The case shows no signs of polishing and is in excellent condition, with all of the stamping and unique Cartier reference numbers still visible on the case back.  Model reference number 1630.

The watch is powered by a quartz, ETA produced movement. This is a fairly rudimentary, but reliable, movement that powered the vast number of Cartier watches from the mid 1980’s through the 1990’s.

The watch sits on a fine and beautifully made solid eighteen carat yellow gold bracelet, seamlessly joining the case and opened through the traditional Cartier deployant clasp on the back center which is seamlessly integrated into the bracelet. The inside of which is fully stamped with Cartier control marks and gold assay marks. This bracelet is not fixed to the watch itself. It is held on by two long screws that run through the lugs of the watch, meaning that if there was a desire to have it on a leather band, this is wholly possible, adding some versatility along with the beauty. The bracelet currently measures approximately seven inches in length.  It can be sized down if required.  These elegant and exceptionally comfortable to wear bracelets are hard to find, and add another level of beauty to an already special piece of watch making history.

Overall, this is a wonderful and rare example of a take on the classic Cartier icon. It has the added benefit of this soft and very wearable gold bracelet. A watch that will suit most occasions and having the flexibility to also fit onto a leather band.

The watch has recently been serviced. The watch does come with the original box and paperwork from Cartier.


Price $0.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width
0.9645669 inches (2.449999926cm)
Case Height Inc. Lugs
1.200787 inches (3.04999898cm)