Justin is very lucky that it’s too late to buy me a last-minute Christmas present because something by Andrew Grima would be very much hinted about!
Italian-born Grima (1921-2007) emigrated to the UK at the age of five. He designed high-end jewellery including rings, watches, necklaces and brooches. In 1966, he opened his first boutique at 80 Jermyn Street in London; this was followed by outlets in New York, Sydney, Tokyo and Zurich.
His exclusive pieces have been worn by royalty and Hollywood legends; Queen Elizabeth II (he was granted the Queen’s Royal Warrant), Princess Margaret, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and ‘Bond girl’, Ursula Andress were all admirers.
In 1969-70, Grima collaborated with Omega on the About Time watch collection comprising 85 pieces – fifty watches and thirty one matching pieces. In 1976, Pulsar was the second watch company with whom he teamed up to create a range of around 30 timepieces which included the stunning 18 carat gold LED watch (shown above). All his watches are very valuable and hugely sought after today.
His jewellery designs are always in demand and regularly exceed their auction estimates multifold.
The V&A has one of his brooches in their permanent collection.
Andrew Grima: The Father of Modern Jewellery was published just a couple of months ago.
Additional images credits:
Grima Collection | National Jeweler