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 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold with factory diamond dial dial. This is an exceptionally rare and glamorous example of the always advertised "flagship" Rolex watch in the line. Even when this watch was made, at the turn of the 1980's, the President was THE Rolex to own, and special examples like this were truly the most exclusive and desirable models in the entire Rolex collection.

The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956 and has been included in the Rolex new line up for the 2025 range at this year's "Watches & Wonders" in Geneva. A testament to the original design, and the overall affection people have for this iconic reference.

Arguably, the Rolex Day Date is the ultimate status symbol. It was always portrayed to the public this way by the media team at Rolex, and it was always promoted to world leaders, titans of industry and the sports and movie stars around the globe. Although much has changed with regards to Rolex's offering, and the special variations that are on offer, it was always the "President" that led the way in rare, unusual and gem set variants. This is very much true in this case with this eye catching dial.

In 1959 the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement; the 1555 calibre. The 1803 model with this calibre only ran until 1965 until. It was again updated with the 1556 calibre. The 1803's were replaced by the 18030, five digit references. Compared to the predecessor with the caliber 1500 movement, the new caliber 3035 was a big improvement. The balance speed was increased from 19,800 to 28,800 A/h and it gained a "quick set" date feature, though it only advances the date wheel, as opposed to the "double quick" watches that were introduced around 1988 moving the day of the week as well. The hacking balance wheel features a free-sprung Breguet overcoil hairspring and Microstella regulation. It is a 28,800 A/h 12.5 ligne movement with bi-directional automatic winding and chronometer certification. The movement is a twenty seven jewels movement with a power reserve of 48 hours, when it was new. Being now over forty years old, this has slightly diminished.

This example overall is in superb original condition. The case is possibly only very lightly polished, if at all, over the years.  There are only signs of light wear, with sharp case lines throughout, along strong and thick case feet. When looking at the back of the watch, this shows no polishing with all the Rolex stamps for 18K and Swiss poinçon control marks crisp, deep and visible. The original Rolex President bracelet is fully signed on the deployant with all the correct marks and the eighteen carat gold marks, along with correct model numbers on the inside of the end links. The bracelet is tight with little sag.

The crowning feature to this 18048 is this spectacular diamond set dial. These specialty dials were mainly reserved for the Day Date models during this time. Rolex would fit a host of exotic dials to these watches ranging from a variety of factory set gem dials, stone, wood and stella dials. The dial is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage. It features a host of princess cut diamonds set into the dial in a sunken effect. The hour markers are then picked out in larger claw settings. This dial is not a "T Swiss T" dial featuring no Tritium luminous material, the same is true for the all gold baton hands. The printing of the text is in black on specially cut out and engeaved areas into the dial.  Also what is worth noting that there is the absence of the ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ script to leave the stage to the dazzling gemstones.

This is an exceptional watch, and truly rare today, especially in condition such as this. Even the original factory, solid eighteen carat gold, spring bars are present. Which although a minor detail, confirms this watches originality and its maintenance. Given the look of the new model, this now 'vintage' example has much more charm and a beautiful feel to it, and the production numbers of these special pieces were also very low indeed.  Searching has only uncovered one other black dial like this.


Price $58,995.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width (not inc. crown)
1.4173 inches (3.599942cm)