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 stainless steel International Watch Company, Schaufhausen, Ingenieur watch.  This is perhaps one of the best looking, best on the wrist time only, three hand, stainless steel watches ever produced.  For those who love vintage watches, but are more comfortable wearing a larger size watch case, with the presence on the wrist, there cannot be a better reference.  While on the subject of reference. This one is a sinister one!  The "666" was conceived by International Watch Company - IWC -  in 1954.  IWC began producing anti-magnetic movements as early as 1888, the Ingenieur was IWC's first foray into producing a purpose-built anti-magnetic tool watch for scientific and industrial usage for the wrist.  

The no date, 666A, version was introduced with the 852 calibre movement in 1955 and was the first ever movement to be protected inside the watch case by a cage made from soft iron, a magnetically impermeable material.  The Ingenieur featured anti-magnetic protection up to 80,000 amperes per meter, exactly double the resistance of the SL model currently offered by IWC.  

This example is powered by the 853 calibre, launched at the end of 1959 and resembles the previous 852 calibre, both equipped with the Pellaton winding system.  This twenty one jeweled, Breguet hairspring automatic movement remained in the line until 1963 when it was replaced with the 854.  When new, it offered forty four hours of power reserve and is an exceptionally durable and reliable caliber.

Offered originally in date and non-date format, the 666 is one of the most hard-to-find vintage IWC models on the market today.  The model became even more popular when legendary designer, Gerald Genta introduced his version of a new Ingenieur in 1976, the Ingenieur SL.  This took what was already an iconic watch and moved it toward legendary status.  For IWC collectors, the 666 reference really is a "must have" in any collection, and this should not be limited to just fans of IWC.

This example, aside from being in superb condition, has one additional crowning feature; the dial is co-signed by Swiss watch retailer Beyer.  The Beyer watch company based in Zurich has a rich and illustrious over two hundred and sixty year history that is still prevalent today.  Beyer added their name to many top tier names in the watch business that were retailed out of their locations.  The list comprises of many illustrious names like Patek Philippe, Omega, and of course, IWC.   These Beyer signed 666 watches are few and far between.  The dial itself, with the striking ingenieur lighting bolt logo above the six o’clock marker, is in excellent all original condition.  This watch features luminous material all of which is present, along with the luminous material in the hands.  The dial is also marked "Swiss" at the dial's base.  There does appear to have been some moisture that the dial has been exposed to.  It has created light bubbling to the dial and hands.  However, this is not noticeable to the naked eye.  There is one larger discolouration spot on the dial close to the seven o'clock marker.

The large screw back case is in exceptional condition. It has never been polished and is superb throughout with no defects or large scratches.  Quite rare indeed for a watch that is. no over sixty years old.  If you are looking for a superb untouched original example of one of the great time only wrist watches, then look no further.

The watch is no presented with an original box or any paperwork.  It is timing very well and will be accompanied by a year’s warranty from Foundwell.


Price $9,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width (not inc. crown)
1.44 inches (3.6576cm)