Grima's Peridot and Diamond Spring Ring Watch by Omega
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A rare 18ct gold, peridot and diamond 'Spring Ring Watch', no. 83 from the 'About time Collection', for Omega by Andrew Grima, 1969, centring a bezel-set, oval faceted peridot 'glass' bordered by a line of brilliant-cut diamonds framed by a textured surround and hoop, signed Grima, maker's mark for Omega, manual, cal. 484, 17 jewels, movement no.: 26'584'837, maker's mark HJCo for Haller jewellery Company, British hallmarks for London, 1969., ring inner diameter approximately 20 mm, size U, accompanied by time collection, 1970 original index and price list. Other Notes: Andrew Grima's (1921-2007) innovative and adventurous jewellery designs won him prestigious commissions from numerous patrons including Jacqueline Onassis, Princess Margaret and Hm Queen Elizabeth II along with several awards including 13 de Beers diamond international awards and a Royal Warrant, Intrigued by Grima's bold and visionary approach to jewellery design, in 1969 Omega commissioned him to design a collection of 85 jewellery watches in a resolutely modern style. Titled 'About Time', the collection challenged Grima to integrate the precise watch movement into his amorphous designs along with using a gemstone in place of a watch glass, an innovation that he hoped would allow the wearer to see 'Time through stone'. A unifying theme of the collection was the idea that each watch would be unique, and that the major feature would be the dial that would not be decorated in any way, nor would it bear indexes, this spring ring watch is an extraordinary example of 1970s modernist jewellery. Amply demonstrating Grima's flair for texture and his unique understanding of materials, the ring watch exemplifies Grima's achievements in this seminal prestigious collection. It is these unique features that even today remain unsurpassed for their ingenuity, audacity, and powerful, sculptural design.
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- Modernism / Modernist - Modernist furniture and design emerged in the early to mid-20th century as a response to traditional styles of the 19th century and prior times, and a reflection of the technological and social changes of the time. Characteristics of Modernist furniture and design include simplicity and minimalism and clean lines and a lack of unnecessary ornamentation are key features. That form follows function is a fundamental principle of Modernist design, and furniture and objects are designed with a focus on their practical use.
Modernist furniture often incorporates geometric shapes, such as cubes, rectangles, and circles. This reflects a departure from the more ornate and curvilinear forms of previous design styles. The furniture often prioritizes ergonomic design, ensuring that objects are comfortable and user-friendly. Modernist designers aimed to create designs that could be mass-produced, making good design accessible to a broader population.
Prominent figures associated with Modernist furniture and object design include designers such as Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Ettore Sottsass - Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
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