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, with a black Roman chapter ring, and black serif printing throughout. A very clean monochromatic look.  The watch comes on a Rolex Oyster 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. 


The case back of this watch has an intriguing and very collectible engraving on the back for those who like something different, or have an affiliation with technology, programing or the computer business. This watch was presented for twenty five years service at IBM. It was a gift presented by the firm for employees that joined their "Quarter Century Club". On the back it is engraved to a LeRoy E. Wilson Jr. on October 19th 1989. Mr. Wilson was  Office of Vice President & General Counsel for IBM, having worked there since the 1960's. He went on to have a very successful career in practicing law and also helping educate lawyers and those wishing to practice law in South Africa, and parts of Africa. 


Another interesting detail about this watch is that it came from Michael C. Fina in New York, and through Rolex of New York. Michael C. Fina actually operated, and continue to, a large scale employee recognition business which it began in the 1960's. The company offered a large range of products that grew into the 1980's at which point they created the 'Magic Box' to present lifestyle gifts such as televisions and barbecues in the workplace. The box, which contained a framed certificate, congratulatory letter, gift catalog, order form, and optional trinket such as a pen or watch, gave employees the experience of being presented with a gift at work, but allowed them to choose a gift that fit their lifestyle. This is therefore presumably what Mr. Wilson Jr. chose to do!


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 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 1989 with serial number L284XXX. The watch is in superb original condition, having been only lightly polished. The bracelet is very tight with little sign of sagging. The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical failure, along with its original Rolex paperwork, Datejust brochure, "Your Rolex Oyster" brochure, the outer card box, the inner box in pristine condition and original 'wax' seal Chronometer tag. This is very rare to find such a well loved and maintained example now over thirty years old.  On the outer box is a hand-written sticker on the outside matching the name and year that is repeated on the engraving on the back. This would likely have been applied to keep a track of whose watch was whose when presenting internally at IBM.  A truly interesting and super example throughout. 


Price $8,495.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.417 inches (3.59918cm)