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 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust in stainless steel.  To all intents and purposes this is a classic, and early example of the Rolex staple, iconic time piece.  The one element that differentiates this example from most others is the tiny writing on the dial beneath the 'Oyster Perpetual' part.  And these types of detail fascinate and excite collectors of these early watches.  The words "SERPICO Y LAINO".  This was added to the dial in the Rolex factory as part of an order to be fulfilled for re-sale at the luxury company of Serpcio Y Laino, Venezuela.  Two Italian immigrants, Leopoldo Serpico & Vincente Laino, moved form Italy in the early part of the 20th Century with the hope of starting new lives.  In the 1930's they started their business relationship.  A visit by Snr. Laino and negotiated sole rights to distribute Rolex watches in Venezuela, which was experiencing a rising demand for its quality time pieces.   This led to a very successful and lucrative business that lasted until 1966, when the climate in Venezuela changed dramatically making it unsafe to carry on the business.  

The watch is powered by the Rolex workhorse automatic movement; caliber 1560.  This movement powered most of the iconic Rolex sports watches of the time, such as the 5512 Submariner.  The watch is in original condition with light wear to the case.  It features an unusual Rolex bezel, that was found on some of these earlier models.  The silvered pie pan dial is also untouched, and in excellent condition featuring all lume plots in tact.  It is set with slim white gold markers set on each hour, and double width markers at the 6 and 9 o'clock positions. The hands are early dagger style complete with original lume.  The case holds strong, legible model number 1601, and serial number 701xxx, dating it to circa 1961.  Most importantly the case back still has the " S & L ACERO" engraved into the outside of the case back.  The inside of the case back is also date stamped and marked 1601, and has 1961 III for the third quarter of that year.  It is not unusual that these years do not match exactly, as they were finally assembled often at different times of production.  The watch comes in a Foundwell presentation box, certificate of authenticity from Foundwell, as well as a year warranty against mechanical failure. 


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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.42 inches (3.6068cm)