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 pink, or rose gold, manual wind, large size dress watch by International Watch Company, or I.W.C., of Schaffhausen. This is a very classic, handsome and timeless example of a dress watch from one of the best to do it. During this time IWC were one of the few Swiss watch producers to make larger size dress watches. This three handed version is presented in essentially "New Old Stock" condition, looking like it has perhaps only been worn a hand full of times.

The eggshell dial is beautifully off set with the stylised Arabic numerals and baton markers in pink gold. Pair this with the drilled minute track on the outside edge of the dial, and you have just the right amount of detail to balance out the large expanse of dial. The beautiful scripted logo really adds to the classic, handsome and elegant overall look of this watch. The pink gold set of dauphine hands are clean and suit this watch perfectly. The base of the dial is stamped correctly "Swiss".

The watch is powered by a manual wind IWC caliber 89. This fabled movement can trace its origins back to an iconic watch; the IWC Mark X, part of the "Dirty Dozen" of watches contracted out by the Ministry of Defense for issue to the servicemen and women during World War Two. This featured the caliber 83, which provide the building block for the 89. The caliber 89 made its debut in the Mark XI pilots watch from IWC, and proved so dependable, durable and accurate that it went on to be used by the watchmaker until 1979. This movement has a serial umber dating production to circa 1955. Quite remarkable to find such an example, now nearly seventy years old, in this condition.

The condition of the case is excellent throughout. There are some light scratches to the outside of the case back, but nothing deep or detracting. The hallmark is still razor sharp on the outside edge of the case, which is unpolished throughout. The inside of the snap back case is fully signed with the IWC round logo, serial number, and makers hammer head poinçon for Les Fils de Jules Blum, case maker. A case maker still in existence today, celebrating over one hundred and ten years of  history.

Overall, this is a stunning, large size (measuring just over thirty six millimeters) dress watch in the more unusual and preferable pink gold.  The condition of which is unlikely to be topped.  If you were to own only one more 'formal', dress watch, you would be hard pressed to beat this without moving to Patek Philippe and paying three times the price.

 


Price $4,300.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Diameter
1.417 inches (3.59918cm)