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 stunning and very rare pink gold plated and stainless steel Omega dress watch.  This is an exceptional piece, and very rare with this glossy black dial paired with pink gold gilt printing and applied markers, dauphine hands and red center sweep hand.  Every other example of this reference found has either been in yellow gold plate, or all stainless steel, and none with a black dial.  While the case is not oversized, it is not small either, measuring in just under thirty four millimeters.  It wears well thanks in part to the small frame of the bezel and longer sloping chamfered lugs.  A perfect size for a watch of this design and purpose.  As Patek Philippe would say; "sensibly thin" and so will wear very well under a shirt sleeve.

The watch is powered by the classic, mechanically wound, seventeen jewel, Omega calibre 285 movement, that is derived from the caliber 30 movement, part of the Omega 30mm series developed in 1939.  The caliber 285 itself was introduced in 1958.  As can be seen from the picture, the movement it is in exceptional "NOS" (New Old Stock) condition.  Quite likely never having been serviced since new.  There are no watch maker engravings into the case back.  Flip this stainless steel case back over and there is the original Omega case back sticker also still present.

The watch overall is in exceptional condition.  The case is unpolished with very clean and sharp lines throughout.  The interior of the case back is fully signed Omega, with model number 14392-1-SC along with stating that there are 20 micron thickness of gold plating to the top portion of the case.  The movement has a 17.5 million serial number that dates it to 1959, hence the newer movement calibre introduced the prior year.  The dial is  simply  stunning  with classic baton style markers aside from the 3,6, 9, 12 markers which have an ever so slightly Art Deco styled design to them.  As mentioned prior, all of the printing on the dial is also in a rare pink gold finish, this is also true of the minute outer track around the dial's edge. The Omega logo is applied and with the Omega printing below in classic fashion.  In the  traditional position at the foot of the dial it is printed; "Swiss Made".  Being more of a dress watch, there is no luminous material applied to either hands or dial.  The pink gold plated hands are a classic dauphine shape but have a slightly sporty and more modern feel with the use of the red center sweep seconds hand.  All of which really stand out beautifully from the glossy black dial.

This is a rare watch in itself.  To find one in unused condition, with case back sticker present, essentially unworn from nearly sixty five years ago is almost unheard of.  The original crystal is also in place with the Omega logo in the center of it.  A watch that will appeal to many regardless of taste or watches already in a collection. 


Price $0.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.323 inches (3.36042cm)