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 watch money clip in copper and gold plate featuring a golf ball marker. This very interesting and exceptionally rare piece was perhaps a private order.  It is not a wrist watch that has had the lugs cut off, but an actual bespoke made piece.  Being that we have never seen another, it is hard to imagine that there were many made, if more than this one.  It is a copper money clip with this cased Elgin wrist watch movement, and atop that is a removable golf ball marker for the Thunderbird Country Club, in Rancho Mirage, California.

In 1946, Frank Bogert opened a 663-acre dude ranch called Thunderbird Ranch that offered activities like horseback riding, shooting, and chuck wagon meals. The ranch attracted Hollywood celebrities, including Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

In 1950, Johnny Dawson, Barney Hinkle, and Frank Bogert purchased the adjacent Warburton ranch and pooled their resources to build Coachella Valley's first 18-hole golf course on the site in 1951. The course was designed by Lawrence Hughes, who also designed the 9-hole course at Tomahawk Lake Country Club in South Dakota. Thunderbird became the first golf club to offer home sites for sale.

In 1955, Thunderbird hosted the Ryder Cup Matches on November 5th and 6th.  Thunderbird has been a favorite of US Presidents, including Gerald Ford, Barack Obama, and Eisenhower, who became a member in 1961. Eisenhower would often play 18 holes with other members and sometimes brought his Vice President, Richard Nixon, along. He was also responsible for President Lyndon Johnson visiting Thunderbird to play the course multiple times.

This is a very rare, if not unique opportunity to own a piece of U.S golfing history and very interesting accessory. This is far from the first time one can find a money clip and watch combination. Perhaps it was Cartier that first included a watch with a money clip all the way back in the 1920's.  But, other companies have also made combination pieces.  This is however the first time we have come across a clip with a watch and a golf ball marker, and one from a famous gold course.  A true rarity.


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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.39 inches (3.5306cm)