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 stainless steel Rolex 'Precision' dress watch. This is a very clean, handsome and classic dress watch from one of the finest names in horology. Although a simple and quite basic looking watch, these references are quite rare and desirable when offered from Rolex. Rolex is not really the name one associates with making this style of dress watch in the 1950's and '60's. Watches like this are much more common from their competitors such as; Longines, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre. Therefore, although not what people often look for when it comes to Rolex, they are sought after and desirable.

The thirty three millimeter case is a fine and unadorned design. A thin outer bezel allows the watch to wear bigger than its thirty four millimeters would suggest. The clean drop lugs are flat, not beveled in any way. The Rolex coronet features on the winding crown. The  matte brushed snap-back case back features the Rolex coronet engraved into it, along with the unique serial number. Quite often with these watches these are polished off over the years. This is not the case here. The back is untouched and features both very prominently, as can be seen in the back image.

The movement inside the case is a Rolex seventeen jewel, manual wind, calibre 121S. The case is fully signed inside and out, as mentioned still showing the Rolex coronet on the outside and the case serial number 535xxx stamped beneath. Inside the case is the model reference number of 4061. The watch dates to circa 1960.

The unusual Arabic numeral dial is unrestored, and is showing no damage or patina.  There is distortion on the photos due to the acrylic plastic curving along the minute track It is quite common for these watches to be restored/refinished as the sealing is quite poor and susceptible to moisture seeping in, if not well cared for. Therefore finding these examples in this condition is also rare. The hands are original Rolex gold leaf hands, with the center mounted blued steel sweep second hand. The case is sharp and shows no polishing, again rare from a watch now over sixty years old. These dress watches were no-lume dials so you do not find any lume plots on the hour markers or any recess in the hands.  Another wonderful, and quite unique, feature to these early Rolex Precision watches are the 'thimble' shaped winding crown.  Often these are damaged, replaced or lost over the years.  This watch features its original crown.

This is a superb example of refined Rolex elegance with examples in original condition hard to find. The watch comes with an original green leather Rolex box.  Although this would look more at home under a dress shirt, or paired with a jacket and pants, it does not look out of place with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.  The watch is presented on a period correct stainless steel bracelet.  It is not made by Rolex, however works very well with the watch.  We will add a leather band of the buyers choice as an addition if the desire to replace the bracelet exists.


Price $5,895.00

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Item Dimensions
Case width
1.3 inches (3.302cm)