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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An automatic stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16220 model. This example has a beautiful metallic brushed silver dial, simple and classic silver 'stick' markers, black hash marked chapter ring, and black serif printing throughout. A very clean monochromatic look.  The watch comes on a Rolex Jubilee design stainless steel bracelet. The engine turned bezel is also in steel, and not eighteen carat white gold, which tones the watch's overall appearance down.   This watch is very much the blue jeans or white trainers, sneakers, of the Rolex world.  It is hard not to love this watch, and find it very easy to wear with almost anything.

The dial is signed "T Swiss T" at the bottom below the six o'clock marker. There is therefore Tritium luminous material applied to the dial, and in the center of the original baton hands. All of which is present and has not really changed colour at all, appearing new. This would likely explain the overall condition of the watch as well. This watch has seen very little sunlight! All of the luminous material on both the hands and the dial responds evenly and correctly under UV light. The dial is all original, and in perfect condition throughout. 

The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, thirty-one jewel automatic calibre 3135 movement that powered the majority of all Rolex models since its launch in 1988, from the Datejust to the Submariner. These later models can be identified as they do not have the earlier, characteristic, 'pie pan' style dial. This model also comes with the more ergonomic 'Quick Set' date function, and the newly designed smaller profile case, all of which were introduced in the 1970's. This case has the spring bar holes exposed from the side, a 'holes' case, which was phased out around the early 2000's.  This watch also has a sapphire crystal fitted, which replaced the less sturdy acrylic versions. 

The watch was made circa 1991 with serial number X109XXX. The watch is in good, original condition, and is quite likely unpolished. There are scratches to the case, and general wear, but nothing overly distracting for a watch now over thirty years old.  The bracelet is very tight with little sign of sagging and is date stamped "P5" for having been made in 1991, making it the original bracelet.  There are four removable links present which can be removed to size the bracelet, if needed.

Included with the watch is the Datejust brochure, "Your Rolex Oyster" brochure and the all important Rolex paperwork having originally been sold at Bailey Banks & Biddle, all of which are present in its green Rolex card envelope. This is rare to find such a well loved and maintained example now over thirty years old.  

The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical failure. 


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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.417 inches (3.59918cm)