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 and eighteen carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16233 with a Tiffany & Co. signed dial. This is a rare version of perhaps one of the all time icon Rolex watches; a two-tone, coin edge bezel, Datejust. This dial is a glossy white dial with black printing, a Roman hour marked dial with diamonds set hour markers. The printing really stands out from the white dial, and are complimented by the minute track with small dot minute marks in between the diamonds. The classic, solid gold, baton hands also contain the original luminous material.  Being a diamond set dial, there is no luminous material on the dial itself, although it is stamped "T Swiss T" at the six o'clock position.

Rolex and Tiffany & Co. began a partnership in the 1950’s that allowed the luxury jewellery company to print its name on the Rolex dials that were to be sold in its boutiques. The original Tiffany-signed Rolex dials were completed by hand at their flagship store in New York City. This printing was then extended to other retail stores and then eventually to Tiffany’s service centers.

In the early 1990s, Rolex made the decision to stop supplying co-branded watches, and would no longer honour warranties if the dial stampings had been carried out at a Tiffany & Co. location. As a result, Tiffany & Co. stopped selling Rolex watches, and the two companies parted ways for good. Being that this watch, and 'E' serial number from 1990 makes it one of the last years these two powerhouses would team up.

The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, thirty-one jewel automatic calibre 3135 movement that powered the majority of all Rolex models since its launch in 1988, from the Datejust to the Submariner. These later models can be identified as they do not have the earlier, characteristic, 'pie pan' style dial. This model also comes with the more ergonomic 'Quick Set' date function, and the newly designed smaller profile case, all of which were introduced in the 1970's. This case has the spring bar holes exposed from the side, a 'holes' case, which was phased out around the mid to late 1990's.

The watch is fitted to its original Rolex Jubilee stainless steel and eighteen carat gold bracelet with four removable links in place, which, if needed, can be removed to make the bracelet smaller. The clasp is stamped "O11" for the eleventh month of 1990 production. There is a little sag to it, but nothing out of place from thirty five years of careful wear.

The watch was made circa 1990 with serial number E,586,XXX. The watch is in original condition, showing signs of light polishing to case. However, the case is very strong, with thick lugs.

The Datejust is perhaps one of the most produced models by Rolex, but if one model was to be listed as an example of the "Datejust" reference, it would be this; two tone with gold dial. This example with having the bonus addition of being Tiffany & Co. retail signed is a real plus. Tiffany is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance now under its new ownership which has seen demand for anything associated with the brand rise in price and collectibility. Add the Rolex brand name, and it is a powerful combination.

The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical failure. There are no original papers and we are unaware of its service history.


Price $13,795.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.417 inches (3.59918cm)