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 solid eighteen carat pink, or rose gold, large cased automatic Omega Seamaster watch. This is an exceptionally handsome piece and very rare model found in this stunning hue of eighteen carat gold. This is also a lovely size for watches from this period. They tended to be thirty three millimeters in size or less, but this case measures close to thirty four, not including the crown, and with the long, thick tapering lugs, it wears even larger.

On the stunning, thick, detailed caseback is a depiction of the iconic Seahorse for the Seamaster range. The Seamaster watch’s history dates back to 1948 when it debuted in celebration of the brand’s 100th anniversary. The model was an immediate hit and became the brand’s best seller. Today it remains the oldest model in Omega’s current collection, and is as popular as ever with Omega fans.

The first Omega Seamaster was modeled after the waterproof wristwatches made for and worn by the British military during World War Two. What distinguished the Seamaster from its diving watch predecessors was its O-ring gasket which improved its water-resistance. Previously water-resistant watches relied on lead or shellac gaskets which were easily affected by temperature changes like those a diver would experience at various depths. Omega turned to the submarines used during WWII for inspiration and included a resilient rubber gasket in the Seamaster’s final design. This new case remained intact at depths up to 60 meters and temperature ranges between -40 degrees and 50 degrees Celsius. Omega engineers was so confident of the Seamaster’s durability, they attached one to the outside of an aircraft and flew it over the North Pole in 1956.

The movement powering this top of the range Omega watch is the automatic caliber 561. This movement was actually launched the year this watch is made, 1959 and has Omega experts still in love with it. Looking at it from an aesthetic perspective it is easy to understand why, let alone the technology that lies beneath. That highlights what Omega thought of this model.These high grade automatic movements were mainly reserved for the Constellation line, and are chronometer-rated. It is based on the caliber 550 that was introduced in 1959. It ticks at 19.800 bph, has a high twenty four jewel count jewels. This movements lacks a quickset feature, this came later with the caliber 564 movements. However, it can be advanced more rapidly through the 9pm-1am cycle.

The watch is in exceptional condition. It is almost fair to say this watch has barely ever been worn. The case is unpolished with very clean and sharp lines throughout, still featuring a pair of crisp, un-rubbed, hallmarks on each side of its lugs. The case back is fully signed Omega, with model number 14701 S.C and movement serial number stamped onto the bridge. This watch, with an 17.6 million movement number, dates it to 1959, hence the newer movement calibre.

The highly glossy eggshell coloured dial is beautiful and very clean looking, really catching the light. The printing on the dial is a black, classic, Omega font, with the also iconic, early Seamsater logo, with the coat-hanger s. The hours are marked out via a series of classic pink gold stick markers with black enamel applied to the centers. Below this it is signed "Swiss Made". Note there is no luminous material applied to the dial or hand set. The original eighteen carat pink gold hands and also have black enamel filling the space in the center to make them easier to track with the eye, and are paired with a beautiful blued steel center sweep hand.

This is a very beautiful and unusual reference in superb condition. It would look very much at home under a dress shirt sleeve as it would with a polo shirt and chinos, such is its simplicity and clean nature. The condition is also superb for a watch now over sixty five years of age.


Price $5,795.00

×

Enquire
Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.32 inches (3.3528cm)