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 ten carat gold filled Jaeger LeCoultre Futurematic watch.  This beautiful and quite rare piece was part of the post World War Two push in self winding watches that followed the earlier Powerwind by JLC, which was the first production watch to include a power reserve.  Launched by Jaeger LeCoultre in 1952, it was heralded as the "world's first fully automatic wrist watch".

Upon its launch it contained several features, many of which are unique to this day.  There is no crown placed on the side of the case.  Instead, like the original JLC DUo Plan watches, the crown in on the back of the case.  The company advertised that eliminating the space taken up by the winding and setting apparatus allows for a larger and heavier balance wheel, which in turn results in a higher degree of accuracy.  In addition, while setting the time, a hacking mechanism stops the motion of the balance wheel allowing the an easier synchronistic setting of time from the accurate source.

The stop-work mechanism that locks the movement of the rotor once the watch nears its full power reserve of forty hours, is a genius addition, and one full of horological thought.  This patent reduces unnecessary wear on the movement, and stops the bumper winding sensation on the wrist, that can be noticeable. 

There is the inclusion of a unique mainspring barrel design which, even when the watch has stops running, will hold the equivalent of six hours power reserve.  This enables the watch to start running as soon as it is picked up again and worn.

A winding rotor is centrally suspended both above and below the movement.  By supporting the movement on both sides it is prevented from lateral movement and premature wear, which is a major flaw of early automatic movements.

This beautiful case, with turned horn lugs, as with most found in the US, was a third party contractor made case.  They were made by a variety of case makers domestically such as Wadsworth, Star, Axel Brothers.  They are all signed on the inside "Cased and timed in the U.S.A by LeCoultre" along with the makers mark.

Another special additional feature seen with this watch that was only seen in the 1920's and '30's from JLC is the "all risks" insurance policy that came with purchase.  This was not extended to all markets, but included a free repair service one year from purchase, and should the watch be lost or stolen, the purchaser must sign the "declaration of loss", contact the local police and the watch would be replaced by JLC, no questions asked!  All underwritten by Lloyds of London.  Quite the charming and wonderful worry-free guarantee.  

Regarding this example, the case remains very solid, and is presented in its original, unpolished condition.  There are light scratches, and some signs of wear, but nothing to concern.  The dial is all original, marked Swiss at the six o'clock position, and in superb condition throughout.  There are small raised applied pyramid markers on the hours along with arrow head markers a six and a double at twelve.  The time and sub-dial functions are displayed using classic dauphine hands.  If there is a desire to find a high quality, classic and elegant more formal watch, this Futurematic is very hard to beat, both aesthetically and technically.  This example also comes with the very rare, original folding instruction paperwork from LeCoultre explaining the how to operate the watch 


Price $3,195.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.31 inches (3.3274cm)