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

Shopping Bag

Your cart is empty.


A solid platinum Datejust. The icon of the line up in the Rolex collection? Quite possibly! Also, being that this is no longer in the current collection, does this just make this watch even more desirable? We think so… Not to mention this is a watch that resides in Ms. Wallner’s aka Dimepiece’s collection. Therefore, it’s a “must have”! However, this watch is even more special for 2 reasons: factory made sapphire pear shape hour markers at the 6 and 9 o’clock positions. And all platinum case and bracelet.

This is from 1999, so this features a sapphire crystal, which makes these just a little more durable and water resistant than their earlier plastic/acrylic siblings. These models also went through a number of other quite extensive upgrades during this time. Being platinum, it can be paired with a Tiffany sterling necklace and the white gold diamond ring.

The dial colour is a crisp silver colour with these stunning sapphire hour markers and applied very rare platinum pear shape hour markers that mimic the stones it flanks. The serif printing of the text and hash marker minute ring, which runs along the edge of the dial, is all in black, which sits well with the dial background. One of the upgrades that Rolex introduced by this point is a new luminous material. Out went the “T Swiss T” marking at the base of the dial for Tritium, and in came the “Swiss Made” Super Luminova dials. A better, more stable material which also retains its luminosity much better over time. However, this is actually a “no lume” watch. Meaning there is no luminous material applied to the dial or hands.

The classic baton hands are also in platinum, and unusual again. Like the hour markers, they have black enamel paint running through the center of them. No detail was spared in making this watch, and no corner cut. Everything on this watch is just a little more special.

The case is in good overall condition throughout and appears to be unpolished. This is a “no holes” case, meaning that the lug holes are not drilled and exposed from the sides of the case, making for a cleaner finish – another improvement made.

The final big change to this watch is to the jubilee link bracelet. There is a new “hidden” deployant buckle which is taken from the top of the line Day-Date model. This is opened via using a nail on the Rolex coronet. The end links going into this watch are also solid. The overall feel is much better than the bracelet that preceded it. It is in excellent condition throughout with no sag or heavy scratching to the deployant buckle.This watch really is a fine example of clean and classic Rolex, but with a little extra! If you love all things Datejust, but just want the best example out there, this is it.

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


Price $16,995.00

×

Enquire
Item Dimensions
Case Width
1.02362 inches (2.5999948cm)