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 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid platinum with factory set diamond lugs and bezel.  This is very rare and essentially one of the most   expensive Rolex watches in the line when made back in 2000.  Not only is this watch unusual in Platinum, but the additional options of having  the lugs and bezel diamond set add to the rarity and expense.  Include the dial, with both the princess cut and baguette cut diamonds, and this is essentially one of the most expensive factory Day Date models to leave Rolex, not being a custom piece.  This watch listed over $70,000 when new, and was not an easy model to find.  

Although it would be wrong to describe this watch as subtle, the use of a white metal does make the watch a little more low key.  One of the only ways to really know this watch is platinum and not white gold is the weight.  Platinum is a lot more dense of a metal, and on average weighs approximately eleven percent more than its gold counterpart.  This may not sound a lot, but the watch with bracelet in solid gold alone is quite noticeable to the wearer!

Arguably, the Rolex Day Date is the ultimate status symbol.  It was always portrayed to the public this way by the media team at Rolex, and it was always marketed to world leaders, titans of industry and sports and movie stars around the globe.  Although much has changed with regards to Rolex's offering today, including special variations that are available, it was always the "President" that led the way in rare, unusual and gem set variants.  Only recently a very rare custom white gold example made in 1984 sold for over $1.3 million dollars in auction.  This stunning example is very an example of the very best of the Day Date.

The Day Date was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956, and a year later was re-modeled as the 6611 and featured the Rolex calibre 1055 movement.  This model ran until 1959 when the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement again.  This time the 1555 calibre.  The 1803 model with this calibre only ran until 1965 until, once again, it was updated.  This time Rolex fitted the 1556 calibre.  The next reference upgrade was to the 18030. There was very little change aesthetically to the watch over the years aside from hand changes and moving away from the pie pan style dial.  The double quick set movement introduced in 1988 was perhaps the most important change, making the watch a lot more practical to use. 

By the time the watch reached the late 1990's reference numbers changed, with this example being branded as the 118296.  This reference often came without the bezel being diamond set too, but it was available as an additional extra.  That option was taken in this example.

This example is in excellent original condition.  The case appears to be unpolished.  There are signs of wear, but nothing substantial and all original lines appear strong, as do the case feet.  When looking at the back of the watch, it appears to confirm that no polishing has occurred.  The edges are sharp, feet again strong, and all the relevant hallmarks with no signs at all of brushing or wear. The original Rolex President bracelet is fully signed on the deployant with all the correct marks and the PT 950 platinum marks, and numbers on the inside of the end links.  The bracelet is a little short, as it has been sized for a smaller wrist.  If this is being bought for a larger wrist additional links will be needed.  We can assist with this.

The dial is untouched, and shows no  sign of wear or damage.  It has a slightly blue hue to it, which is the other tell tale sign that it is fitted to the platinum model.  As Rolex had moved away from Tritium by this point to Superluminova, the dial is marked "Swiss Made".   However, this is a no lume dial and hand set, as is the case with all diamond set dials from this time, and is original to the watch.  The serial number of this watch is P19XXXX which dates it to circa 2000.  All serial and case reference numbers are clear and present between the lugs.  This is an exceptional watch, rare today and one that still looks as relevant and exciting as anything in the current line up twenty two years on.  Demand for models such as these is sky rocketing at the moment, and shows no signs of slowing.


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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.42 inches (3.6068cm)