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 automatic Rolex Datytona chronograph with papers and tags.  The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, launched in 1963, and was designed to meet the needs of professional pilots.  The patented chronograph movement and bezel, with tachymeter scale, allows pilots to measure the exact average speed up to 400 kilometers per hour. The watch would also be loved by motor racing professionals and enthusiast.  Most notably, Paul Newman who owned a number of Daytona models throughout his life, putting them to great use while behind the wheel.

It is a watch that there is no mistaking.  It is unlike any other Rolex model in the line.  With its striking, contrasted dial and famous case silhouette, there is no other watch quite like the Rolex Daytona. This model, the ref. 116520, was launched by the brand in 2000, at the time replacing the  16520 which was introduced in 1988, and importantly presenting to the Daytona lineage Rolex's first fully in-house chronograph movement, replacing the very successful and superb Zenith El Primero movement.

It is a very well balanced design, striking and immediately recognisable. With its forty millimeter steel case, screw-down pushers, crown, and bezel all providing a distinctive canvas for the unmistakable dial configuration they surround.  On the dial, the contrasted look between metals, black and white, all work together to present the recognizable chronograph aesthetic, its date-less display supremely well-balanced and symmetrical, with a small red "Daytona" script serving as the watch's signature. 

The applied Super Luminova filled hour markers along with the Rolex coronet punctuates the style, while a pair of lume-accented baton hands steadily indicate the time.  As mentioned prior, this new reference, the 116520, introduced to the Daytona lineage the widely-praised Rolex caliber 4130 to power the watch, replacing the caliber 4030, based upon Zenith's famed El Primero caliber with significant modifications. The caliber 4130 has from its launch become the brand's standard chronograph mechanism, even into the ceramic-bezel contemporary ref. 116500, complete with superlative chronometer timekeeping and a 72-hour power reserve.

This example presented, with its white dial, is perhaps the best version of this reference.  The black printing and notably red Daytona, really pop from the clean glossy white dial.  The condition of the watch is unused and is complete with the Rolex paperwork card, tag with serial sticker, wax tag, warranty booklet, Daytona booklet and factory service booklet.  The plastic bezel protector is also presented with the watch. 

This watch, now replaced by the ceramic bezel models, is becoming more desirable as it retains a little more of the ‘vintage’ overall appearance. Also, being that this reference launched the first Rolex in-house Chronograph caliber for the model, it will remain a very desirable and collectible model as time passes.  Given its condition and complete nature, this example will become extremely coveted as the new models continue to evolve.


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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.575 inches (4.0005cm)