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 chrome plated and leather covered mechanical, eight day, folding, Cartier travel clock with alarm function.  The clock design was originally conceived by Jaeger LeCoultre in the 1920's, and was called the 'Ados', and came in a variety of different shapes and formats, and was made by Jaeger for many other notable retailers at the time such as Hermès, Cartier and Asprey.

This particular example is, in fact, a piece made in house by the then Cartier watch and clock makers; European Watch & Clock Company.  “E. W. & C. Co Inc.”.  Based in the Jaeger-LeCoultre factory, after Cartier struck a deal with Edmund Jaeger, E. W. & C. Co. movements quickly gained a reputation for being of the highest quality and most exacting specifications.  This was a partnership that did not last very long (from the 1920's-1950's), and as a result of which, these E. W. & C. Co. pieces fetch a premium, and are seen as truly original Cartier time pieces.  This clock has the movement and case all fully signed European Watch & Clock Co., and is stamped both on the leather case, and on the back plate of the clock under the serial number with Cartier reference stamps. 

The protective cover of the dial folds back on itself to become the stand for the clock once placed in position.  The dial has a stunning anodized copper finish, with the center polished to a high shine and is fully signed, including the number '8' above the six o'clock position.  This signifies that the mechanical movement is an eight day movement, meaning once fully wound, it will have enough power to run for eight days without being wound again.  The dial features beautiful applied copper arrow head markers, and the hands are a stunning dauphine shape.  There is an additional smaller hand which, is for the setting the alarm.  This can be switched on through the main winding stem.  This is truly a very rare indeed clock, presented in excellent original condition.  There are slight losses to the leather in small areas of the frame, and the dial has a line of discoloration running down from the twelve o'clock marker.  However, for its age, it is in excellent condition.  Made in Switzerland, circa 1930's.


Price $2,895.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
4 inches (10.16cm)
Width
2.5 inches (6.35cm)