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 yellow gold, automatic Cartier Tank Américaine with solid eighteen carat gold deployant buckle. Off the back of one of the most iconic watches of all time, the Cartier Tank which launched in 1917, came the Cartier Cintree. In 1921 the Tank Cintrée (translating to "curved") introduced to the market a long rectangle designed watch with curved case to gently hug the curvature of the wearer's wrist. This was the very first time the Tank had a curved case, something that has been a mainstay of the collection ever since. Let's remember that in 1921 the concept of the wristwatch was still a new and somewhat controversial one, and a non-round wristwatch somewhat of a novel idea. A curved , rectangular watch with such presence on the wrist was quite groundbreaking! Early examples of the Cintrée are to be found in most of the notable watch collections around the world, with good, clean, honest original versions commanding vast sums of money.

Fast forward to 1989, and Cartier was evolving more into the machine that we see before us today. Richmont now had the reigns and a new model would be introduced to somewhat take the mantle of the beloved Cintrée; the Tank Américaine.  The watch was clearly inspired by the Cintrée of old, with its curved case and curved chapter ring, but it differed in a number of ways. One important distinction is that the reverse of the case has a flat case-back instead of the dramatically curved case-back of the Cintrée. The result is a watch that still appears curved while being technically easier to manufacture.

The watch has all the details that Cartier lovers flock to the brand for – the Roman numeral dial with the hidden signature at the seven o’clock position, chemin de fer minute track, sword blued steel hands and a blue sapphire set winding crown. The "Swiss Made" stamped dial is in perfect condition, and also being guilloche engraved. These dials were always applied to the higher tier watches Cartier produced. The likes of the Privé collection, for example. In this reference, the 1740, there is also the small date window located at the six o'clock position. The case shows some light polishing over the years and is in superb condition throughout, with all of the stamping and unique Cartier reference numbers crisp and visible on the case back.

The watch is fitted to its original Cartier alligator band, with the deployant fully signed and in excellent condition. The watch is powered by Cartier's caliber 120 movement. Working well and keeping excellent time.

Overall, this is a wonderful example of the classic Cartier icon. A model that is increasingly in demand, and very difficult to find, today. Being the biggest size of the model that they made, this watch really has a presence, but also retains an elegance, as only Cartier can really do. It is presented in excellent condition and with its original paperwork.


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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.063 inches (2.70002cm)
Case Length
1.772 inches (4.50088cm)