THE ANDREW GRIMA OMEGA YEARS

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THE ANDREW GRIMA OMEGA YEARS

Post by koimaster » April 17th 2022, 9:32am

"In the early to mid-1970s, British designer Andrew Grima created two of the most groundbreaking and rarest watch collections of the 20th century. The first, for Omega, was conceived in 1969 and is perhaps the most avant-garde collection of timepieces in the history of the watch."

"The watches were handmade in the Grima workshop using a brass block to represent the Omega movement. This avoided the problem of it getting clogged with dirt and gold filings. When the watch cases were completed, a few goldsmiths would travel from London to the Omega headquarters and fit the movements with the aid of the Swiss watchmakers. Everything about the process was unique; the designs, the stones, and the artisanship."

"Precious and semi-precious stones were used to make the watch glasses, including rock crystal, moonstone, smoky quartz, rutilated quartz, aquamarine, citrine, peridot, and green and pink tourmaline. These were supplied by Gustav Caesar of Idar-Oberstein, who brought in special cutters to create the unusual and innovative shapes and sizes. The stonecutters had no clue as to the end purpose of these strange commissions."

"Grima’s collaboration with Omega was the most challenging but also the most rewarding phase of his career. The resulting About Time collection was the ultimate expression of his genius, eclipsing anything he achieved before or since."


When we think about Omega, the obvious watches that spring to mind are the sporty duo of the Speedmaster and Seamaster. If you are long time followers of Bulang and Sons, you will also be aware of the incredibly beautiful oversized Calatravas of the 1940s and 50s. There is, however, a world of undiscovered Omega gems that are very much growing in popularity in the current trend towards unusual and interesting case designs. It’s not just brands like Cartier and Piaget that made fascinating and funky shaped watches over the past half century. Omega has several incredibly cool and unusual watches in its rich history, none arguably more interesting than those designed by or inspired by English jeweller Andrew Grima. Today we take a look at the Englishman’s incredibly forward-thinking designs and some of the watches that have been inspired by his work at the brand.

https://bulangandsons.com/blogs/magazin ... mega-years
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1946-2006

“Your heart was warm and happy

With the lilt of Irish laughter

Every day and in every way

Now forever and ever after."
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