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

Shopping Bag

Your cart is empty.


A  stainless steel and chrome plated Jaeger LeCoultre  manual wind watch.  This  stunning looking, quite rare and novel watch is part of an early production of the  wristwatches launched for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.  The English Mark 7A, came in two variations; these more conventional style cases, and the more complicated Weems versions, which we will not go into here.  Both were introduced to Air Force  personnel at the outbreak of the Second World War.  The 7A specification watches were made by a range of watch manufactures including; Movado, Ebel, Omega, Longines and of course this Jaeger LeCoultre, or "Lecoultre" version.  The specifications for which were quite simple; a white dial with Arabic numerals, with a hand set made of blued steel, all of which was to be powered by a keyless, lever movement with a thirty six hour power reserve.  The cases themselves were to be made from stainless steel, chromium-plated solid nickel or chromium-plated hard brass, all of which were to have solid stainless steel case backs.

This watch is presented in superb, and very original condition.  The eggshell coloured dial has turned a magnificent tropical colour, almost coming across as a mustard colour.  As with a few aspects to this watch, there are a few novel elements.  For example, the dial found on this watch is much more akin to that of its Weems counterpart.  A fine Arabic printed set of numbers, with the more bold red printed twelve with the fine outer printed minute track and center "bulls eye" circle.  The balance and feel are not like the conventional cased dials.  There are also triangular, arrow head, printed hour markers within the minute track.  The conventional dials more often have block markers on the hours.  This dial is far more attractive, especially with the red twelve o'clock arrow head marker.  The  dial is signed "SWISS" just below the six o'clock arrow marker.

Another intriguing element to this watch is the fact that there are, in fact, no military markings stamped into the back of the case.  This means the watch was never ‘issued’.  Which in itself, given its time of manufacture seems odd.  The snapback case back simply  has  a charming message to a "John G Amecuza from Mother".  This is also a similar type of engraving that one finds which were given to young sons going off to war.  There is a case back number present as well. 

The fact that is a LeCoultre signed dial, and not Jaeger LeCoultre is not uncommon as many of these watches that are stamped with military markings.  also have the branding for the U.S market.  There is also a correct "VXN" import stamp into the movement plate.  This is for the Longines, Wittnauer company in the U.S who  also  held  the  license to import all Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre watches into America from the 1940's through to the 1970's.  Some of these “LeCoultre” signed watches then ended up on the wrists of European and Canadian pilots.

The movement inside this watch is the a manual wind 450 caliber.  This is also the correct movement found in the early 7A watches.  Movement number 143098 which gives a year of production of 1941 for the watch.  It is also in spectacular condition.  This production date  puts this watch right at the beginning of the outbreak of World War Two.  It is therefore also peculiar that this military made watch would end up in the hands of a civilian at these early stages of the War.  

This is a fine, and very rare early example of a 7A watch, albeit without the military markings.  However, with the   movement serial number dating it circa 1941.  The case is superb throughout, and unpolished.  It has a strangely discoloured bezel.  But, this is easily explained as these early bezels were chromium-plated nickel, and it has eroded the chrome finish over the years, exposing the nickel.  This  really  is a wonderful time capsule watch, and one which, if the military markings were present, would be more than double its value.  This does not reduce the overall importance and aesthetic appeal of this wonderful piece of watch making history.  


Price $4,895.00

×

Enquire
Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.31 inches (3.3274cm)