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  eighteen  carat  pink gold capped and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual model.  This is an exceptionally rare reference Rolex, and presented in superb, very much original condition.  At first glance, and even looking at the photographs, it looks like a classic "no date" 34mm Rolex.  However, there is one very distinguishing detail to this watch;  the  faceted pink gold bezel. There are a few classic, more recognised bezel designations for these watches from smooth to the flat engine turned.  However, this faceted version is exceptionally rare, and very good looking.  Quite subtle, it catches the light in differing ways and is a beautiful design element.  Along side this faceted bezel is, what is believed to be original to the watch, a faceted crystal as well.  It has vertical striping through the plastic, and has a overall curved profile to it.  Very difficult to pick up in the images, but in the flesh is intriguing. Given the overall originality of the watch, it is very much believed to be a Rolex addition fitted to the watch.

As mentioned in the description title it is 'gold capped', not gold plated.  This is a much more expensive and durable process than simply gold plating the case.  Rolex essentially made a 'shell' that was attached to the top of the steel case.  This can be seen when looking at the watch from underneath.  The capping process will not wear away, and remains rich in colour, as it is essentially solid gold, only a fine thickness.  This can be seen as the overall look of the case looks solid.  The bezel itself is likely solid, as it would not be easy to make that capped.  The crown is also original and pink gold.

The  dial is stamped "T Swiss T" at the six o'clock position, meaning that it contains tritium luminous material. This material replaced the highly dangerous, and radioactive Radium in 1963. Just like radium, tritium was also radioactive; however, it came with a much lower level of radiation and a much shorter half-life. While tritium was exponentially safer than radium, it only had a half-life of twelve years. This meant that after just a few decades, only a tiny fraction of the initial luminescence would remain. Additionally, as tritium ages, the color changes, which creates often beautiful, and highly sought after patinas on the luminous markers on these older Rolex watches. Tritium was far from perfect, which lead Rolex to search for a better alternative, which happened in 1998 with the introduction of Luminova. The Tritium in this case is all original to the dial, is perfect condition with every plot present and full.  The lume in the hands is also original and present.  The colour has darkened, which is common for watches from this period.  The classic stick markers and hands are all original, and matching pink gold.  The stick markers have a painted black line through the middle, adding a little dimension to them.  The condition of the dial is exceptional throughout with no damage.

The watch is fitted to its original, also very rare, pink gold and stainless steel folded and riveted bracelet.  This is also solid gold center links and sides to the links.  This can be seen when looking at the center and side links from the back of the bracelet.  The end links are code stamped "57", and the bracelet stamped "7205".  The deployant is also date stamped with "2 68" for the second quarter of 1968, again corresponding to the age of the case, and the accompanying paperwork.

The watch is powered by the Rolex automatic calibre 1570 movement.  This caliber was introduced by Rolex in 1965 and used as the basis for pretty much every model up until 1974 such as the Explorer, Submariner, Date and Datejust.  A variation of the caliber was used for the GMT, the 1575, and the 1580 was used in the Amag models.  Beating at 19,800 BPM, the twenty six jewel, hacking movement was also a COSC chronometer grade movement.  Which is why this very rare example is complete with its Chronometer paper work.  This is presented when the watch returns from being officially timed for accuracy.  When the watch passes the rigorous tests it is returned for distribution with this certification, in itself a beautiful document.  If this watch was not appealing enough, the COSC paperwork was signed off on February 14th 1968, Valentine's Day!

The inside back of the case is fully signed, along with the matching Rolex model number '1025'.  This case serial number is 962XXX, dating this watch production to circa 1968.  The watch is in excellent original condition, with the case showing signs wear, however it appears unpolished.  This is more common with the gold capped models as polishing these on a polishing wheel could be disastrous to its overall appearance.  If it is polished through to the base metal, it would ruin the watch.  The dial is a radiant silver colour, and has not been re-finished.  A super rare and unusual looking watch, in a pleasing and subtle way.  Finding an original, complete watch with original COSC paperwork from nearly fifty five years ago is hard enough, let alone such an interesting piece.


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Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.339 inches (3.40106cm)