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, manual wind, Longines BuShips Unites States Navy issued wristwatch. This is a spectacular and quite rare example of a World War Two issued timepiece.  The screw back case back of this watch, along with relevant serial numbers, has "USN BuShips" engraved into it. This was to signify that the watch was a special order piece for the United States Navy Bureau of Ships. Thus contracted by the Navy for use by its sailors.The US Navy’s Bureau of Ships was in operation from 1940 to 1966. This model watch was based off of the first ever waterproof watch to be imported into the U.S in 1928, known as the "All Proof" watch, and so important for this reason as well.  

The Longines-Wittnauer watch company had a long and storied relationship with the US military. But, in particular with the U.S Navy. They made all kinds of time pieces for them. From torpedo clocks, marine chronometers, all the way down to these, no less important, wrist watches for Naval servicemen and women. Over one hundred different time pieces were developed for air and sea navigation at this time.

The dial is all original, which is quite rare for these watches. The majority have been re-finished over the years. There is some patina to it, but that only adds character to this rugged watch's aesthetic.  The design is classic military; very clean, simple and easy to read. There is a full count of radium filled Arabic numerals, flanked by a simple, fine black printed minute track. The dial is marked "Swiss" at the base of the dial. The correct blued steel pencil hand set is present with original luminous material present which has aged into a beautiful deep cream colour, matching the numbers perfectly. The original, distinctive crown is also present. All parts that are often lost or replaced over the course of time. The case is presented in an unpolished, excellent condition. The case back has all of the relevant issue numbers, serial numbers, and the all important BuShips stampings. 

The watch is powered by the Longines caliber 10L manually wound movement. This movement the 10.68N as it was known outside America represented a novel new approach to the centre seconds movement for Longines. "Like the 10.68Z, 8.68N, 25.17, 9.40, or 12.68Z, which had a [centre seconds] function, the 10.68N had an additional bridge to support the centre seconds which was screwed on to the bridges that assumed the contours of the gears in the winding mechanism, its gear-train bridge had been modified. This large bridge, which held the third wheel and the contrate wheel, was raised above the level of the barrel-bridge. This enabled the third wheel to engage directly with the pinion of the centre seconds. A bejeweled and polished steel plate which was screwed on to the gear-train bridge and blanked to assume its outline and held the pivot, thus ensuring a fine finish to the 10.68N. The transformation of this technical construction principle resulted in a structural shape that was totally new in the Longines catalogue of calibres, although it was a true derivative of the aesthetic lineage of movements made in St. Imier." It is in very good, condition, and as one would come to expect from a military issued watch, is exceptionally hard working and dependable.

The serial number stamped into the movement dates the watch to around 1944. Making this a conflict issued piece. These watches are really quite rare and hard to find today, especially in this condition. This is an opportunity to own a piece of second world war issued history.


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Item Dimensions
Case Diameter
1.32 inches (3.3528cm)