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

Scene 1:
‘Morning’
Scene 2:
‘Noon’
Scene 3:
‘Evening’
Scene 4:
‘Night’
The End

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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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date "President" 1978

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date "President" 1978


A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat white gold. This is an exceptional, pristine example of the third reference of this iconic, and arguably game changing model for Rolex. The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956, and a year later was re-modeled as the 6611 and featured the Rolex calibre 1055 movement. This model ran until 1959 when the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement again. This time the 1555 calibre. This 1803 model is fitted with the updated 1556 calibre movement which was initially launched by Rolex in 1965. This is a 'non-quick' watch.

This example is in excellent condition, with the movement and case and in superb, original condition. The rare, black coloured, pie pan dial with white printing is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage. It is a very beautiful matte hue which pulls a more charcoal appearance in strong light. All but one of the Tritium lume plots are still in perfect condition, with only the five o'clock marker having slightly deteriorated, but being mentioned for transparency. They match well with the hands to a dark green colour, and react equally under UV light.

The serial number of this watch is 5,223,XXX which dates it to circa 1978. The Swiss poinçon hallmark on the case lug is still crisp, as is the "18k" stamp on the other side, which illustrates that the case has received very little polishing over the years, and perhaps none to the case back itself. The lugs themselves are also quite thick highlighting the lack of polishing in now nearly fifty years. This also all points to the fact that this example was worn very infrequently. There appears to be very little wear to the inside of the lugs where the feet of the bracelet would sit. This shows that the watch may have never really seen much wear from a bracelet, if any. There is some light scratching from watch bands being changed over the years.

Overall, this is a very unusual dial on a classic and iconic watch. There were many iterations of Rolex's flagship model over the years. This dial combination in this example is perhaps one of the most beautiful examples we have handled when fitted to the white gold case. There is something very special in the contrast of the white gold against the black. A beautiful and rare example.

The watch comes with a Foundwell one year  warranty.

 

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.42 inches (3.6068cm)