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 black waffle dial.This Rolex reference6567, are sometimes referred to as "OP" watches, for being plain Oyster Perpetual versions of Rolex's iconic Oyster case. They share the same size case as the Rolex Date model, coming in at 34mm. These handsome examples have a much cleaner look without the date window at the three o’clock position, and also no bubble on the crystal as a result. Unusually this example, which is made in fourteen carat yellow gold, were made exclusively for the American market. 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 being a black version with gilt printing. This dial is possibly made be renowned dial makers Stern. It has the typical Stern style hour marks that are found on the Patek Calatrava's of the period.

The dial is stamped "Swiss" at the foot of the dial. The dauphine hands have a small central area running through the center within which Radium luminous material was added. There appears to be no material added to the hour markers along the minute track. It has not fallen off, or been removed as there are no signs of it ever having ben applied. This is not uncommon on these more dress watches from the 1950's.

Watches in this condition are exceptionally hard to find. This yellow gold example boasts a classic fluted bezel, and while its 34mm case size may seem small, it si only 2mm smaller than the classic Datejust, and has a great presence on the wrist.

The case is in superb condition. It is lightly polished, but not extensively with strong lines throughout, little thinning to the lug, and no deep recesses into the lug holes. The Swiss hallmark is still noticeable on the inside of the lug, even though polished too. Both sets of engraved serial and model numbers are present between the lugs.

The watch is powered by the iconic and earlyRolex 1030 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, along with the earlier 645 caliber. They were Chronometer grade, hence the lovely gilt dial printing. The case back inside is stamped 6567 and all of the relevant Swiss marks for fourteen carat gold.

Overall, this is a very rare watch with its original black waffle dial. So handsome, and striking. These are exceptionally hard to find today, especially in this condition.


Price $7,995.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.33858 inches (3.3999932cm)