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 parkerised brass and stainless steel Royce diving watch. There are watches made for diving and then there are professional dive watches! This watch is not mistakable for what it was originally designed for. Easy to use, clear and easy to read, and capable of diving 600 feet. The case is superbly made and robust. Capable of assisting on even the most rigorous of tests. The unit-directional rotating timing bezel clicks enthusiastically into place with the luminous filled pip at the top. It has heavy knurling along its edge that even the deepest dry suit glove can easily gain purchase on. The rehaut of the watch also has the diver in mind. It clearly designates every fifteen minutes, and then with a clear 0 at the top, when all the air is now gone!

The dial is perhaps the most attractive part of an already great looking time piece. These watches came with two dial variants and configurations; black dial with orange rehaut. This, orange dial with black rehaut. The bright, radiant orange is the perfect backdrop for the large round, rectangular and triangle hour markers that clearly display the time. There appear to have been two types of hand sets used on thee watches; these bold, luminous filled pencil hands, and the more classic lollipop hands.Both have the same brick luminous center mounted sweep second hand. The dial and hand set are both in perfect condition showing no damage and reflect evenly under UV light.

The case is most unusual. It is quite unlike most other watches in its class. Both the top and bottom lugs of the case are hinged. This is presumably made so it can be flexible over various different thicknesses of wetsuit, or clothing. The large, easily operated is tucked away at the top of the case in the twelve o'clock position. The purpose behind hiding the crown is the same as Rolex adding the crown guard to its dive watches. The last thing needed while six hundred feet down is to break the crown stem on the watch and flood the case!

The watch is featured in one of those brilliant Japanese studies on military watches. The Kobunsha Bunko "Military Design" book. Within the magnificent pages of these fabulously researched books resides this watch. They were in fact made for the French Navy divers. So, not just a great looking watch, it is also a watch with military provenance. Given its robust hard working design it is easy to see it being deployed as a tool for the military.

The watch is powered by an automatic A Schild caliber 2083 movement. For those watch fans reading this, they will be well aware of Schild's work. Dependable, and heavily utilised across many of the well known Swiss watch makers for nearly a century. The caliber 2083 was made throughout the 1970's. A reliable and robust movement with quick set date. Fitting for the task it was selected for.

The condition of this watch is superb. They are subject to the parkerising wearing from the heavy brass case. And, as one can imagine, being a tool watch, they were subjected to rigorous wear. This example appears to be somewhat of a safe queen! The case without any issues, and unpolished. These dials, often being subjected to protracted time in sunlight, are prone to fading to a less warm, bright orange. This example is as bright as the day it left the factory.

The watch is not presented with any box or paperwork. Its service history is unknown. However, it is keeping excellent time. A Foundwell one year warranty accompanies the watch.


Price $0.00

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Item Dimensions
Case Diameter
1.81102 inches (4.5999908cm)
Case Height
2.48031 inches (6.2999874cm)