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 solid fourteen carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Bombé lugs and waffle dial. This Rolex reference 6092, named after the French word "bombé" meaning rounded or convex, features accentuated lugs that were later nicknamed "Bombay" in the American market. Watches like this, made in fourteen carat, were made exclusively for the American market as well.  These watches were made with a variety of dials, but these early waffle dial versions are the most sought after.  This one being no exception.  Not only has the overall colour aged into a beautiful creamy cafe latte colour now, but the "Officially" in the Officially Certified is printed in red text here.  A very rare version.

The dial is stamped "Swiss" at the foot of the dial. Along with the dauphine hands, with a small central area running through the center, there is Radium luminous material applied to the hour markers along the minute track.  This has aged well and is present in all the relevant hour markers. It was not originally applied to the three, six and nine o'clock markers.

Watches in this condition are exceptionally hard to find. This yellow gold example boasts a smooth bezel and arrowhead indexes, and while its 33mm case size may seem small, the long, curved lugs give it a substantial presence on the wrist. With an overall well-preserved patina, this could be the perfect dress watch, or a watch worn very day.

The case is in superb condition. It is very likely unpolished.  Fortunately many of these bombé cases stay away form the dreaded polishing wheel due to the shape of the lugs.  This early watch also has its original "Super Oyster" crown, which is rare in itself in gold. Both sets of engraved serial and model numbers are present between the lugs.

The watch is powered by the iconic and early Rolex 645 caliber.  This is a self-winding, sweep second, shock-resistant movement that was used in the first Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches in the 1950's.  They were Chronometer grade, hence the dial printing.  The case back inside is also an interesting example. As is soemtimes the case wth these early watches it has two other refernce numbers crossed out.  Firstly 6085, then 6090, with 6092 finally added, matching the engraving between the lugs.  It highlights how parts were interchanged during this early time in Rolex's history.

Overall, this watch represents a wonderful example of both early Rolex history, but also Rolex Oyster Perpetual history.  The watch is presented un superb condition, especially given its now over seventy years of age.  The red printing on the dial is especially rare and adds another level of desirability to an already desirable watch!


Price $11,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.299 inches (3.29946cm)