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 handsome and very rare stainless steel Rolex Air King Date model. This model features a less common black dial glossy dial, with silver applied baton markers, and silver printed text that is all original to the watch, and unrestored. However, the real beauty, collect-ability and in fact desirability of this particular example is the fact that the dial has turned a stunning warm dark chocolate colour when strong light is caught on the dial. It is exceptional looking and very eye catching. All of the lume plots are there, as is the lume in the hands, which match to a pleasing ivory colour. The "Air" series from Rolex came to pass as a result of Mr. Hans Wilsdorf's, the founder of Rolex, deep admiration for the pilots of the RAF, and the sacrifices made during WWII, and the fact that many had chosen to wear his watches. Even if they were issued with other manufacturers watches by the M.O.D. Rolex introduced a number of "Air" branded watches; "Air Giant", "Air Lion","Air Tiger" and this the "Air King". The "Air King" is perhaps the best known model in this series, and the only one that has stood the test of time, still featuring in the Rolex stable today. This model is powered by the classic Rolex calibre 1520 automatic movement, with the case marked 5700. This reference was introduced in 1958 by Rolex, with this example having 2.49 million serial number, dates to being manufactured in 1970. The case measures close to 35mm (not including the crown) which is also the same size case used in the Rolex Date model. The watch comes on the original stainless steel Oyster style bracelet, which is in good condition, with little 'sag', and is date stamped for 1971 I, for the first quarter of that year. The inside of the case back is also stamped 'I 70' and has the generic Rolex Date 1500 model stamped into it. This is not incorrect, Rolex would use different mode case backs that were available at the time, and being that this model was quite rare, it is possible that they never even stamped up 5700 model case backs at all, as the date stamp is correct to this watch's production year.

Price $5,695.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Width (not inc. crown)
1.36 inches (3.4544cm)