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 yellow gold Tudor Oysterdate model. This automatic Tudor reference 7968 has all of the best features of classic Rolex and Tudor from this time, along with a few beautiful nuances particular to this model. The slabbed exterior edge to the case follows to the   foot of the lugs, with a large chamfered edge to the top.  This is contrasted by the turned lugs mirrored to the inside. The origins from this case come from the 1940's 5018 and 6593 Rolex Oyster case. Being from the patriarchal member of the family, this case is more well known, and obtained the moniker "bombé". This originates from the French word translating to"rounded" or "convex", again relating to these distinctive shaped lugs.

This case, although similar to that of its cousin, is in fact slightly different. The exterior and interior bevels do not run as long as on the Rolex case. However, there is no denying where this influence derived. Another beautiful element to the watch's overall look are the applied gold hour markers. The markers, aside from twelve, six and nine, are faceted coffin shapes. The aforementioned three are all a stunning multi-faceted lozenge shape. All of which really catch the light in a beautiful way.

The dial itself is a metallic, light silver with concentric circular light brushing. This also catches the light in a very pleasing way, really highlighting the beauty of the watch overall. The dial is correctly marked "Swiss" at the base of the dial. The small rose logo sits beautifully atop the iconic Tudor script logo which sits above the serif Prince Oysterdate name. The other font present on the dial is the "Rotor Self Winding" serif font. It is an appealing   detail to the graphic design that the "Self - Winding" part is set on a circle to represent the movement and shape of the rotor.

The luminous material applied to the watch is still Radium at this point. The watch dates to 1960, and the introduction of Tritium into the Rolex group was not until around 1963. The luminous plots are all present and correct and are in excellent overall condition, as is the material in the Dauphine gold hands. All of which match and glow brightly ultraviolet light, and have turned a warm and satisfying café latte colour.  What appears to be discolouration in one of the pictures is in fact a reflection from the camera equipment.

As is the case with Tudor watches, the case and crown are signed Rolex, and made by Rolex. In this instance the case is in superb, original and completely unpolished condition. This watch was a barn find and was very dirty when acquired, which added a protective layer to the metal, and explains its current condition. The original Tudor signed case back has the date code of "II. 60" also stamped into the back. This is consistent with the serial number engraved in between the lugs 314,XXX.

The original automatic caliber 2452 that Tudor modified from the ETA ébauche is in superb condition, with the handsome engraved "Tudor Auto Prince" logo rotor. The watch is keeping perfect time, and date changes without issue.

The watch is fantastic throughout. It will also be sold with what appears to be the original bill of sale from a Canadian jeweler from Calgary by the name of "Mackenzie's", that was established in 1928. It is signed 25th December 1962, and comes with two complimentary service vouchers; one for June '63, and then the annual service to be redeemed in November. It is likely that this watch was bought on Christmas Eve as a gift, which rounds off the charm of this beautiful and rare watch. Swiss made, circa second quarter of  1960.


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Item Dimensions
Case Size
1.32 inches (3.3528cm)