Ring with inset OLYMP watch face
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1960s-1980s
This ring incorporates a mechanical watch movement with an OLYMP-signed dial, identified in museum records as a ring with a clock face. The object features an oval setting encrusted with numerous small diamante stones surrounding a circular, light-colored dial.
The watch face displays the text "OLYMP", "17 JEWELS", "INCA-BLOC", and "SWISS". A winding crown is positioned on the side of the oval bezel. The reverse of the setting exhibits etched foliate or decorative patterns. The ring was owned and worn by Bernice Kopple, a performer and model, between the 1960s and 1980s. Following its donation in 2014, the object is maintained within the collection of Museums Victoria. The overall dimensions of the setting are 30 mm in width by 15 mm in height.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Ring watch
- Owner
- Bernice Kopple
- Date range
- 1960s-1980s
- Dimensions
- 30 mm width, 15 mm height
- Acquisition
- Donation from Rachel Legge in 2014
- Place recorded
- Australia
- Maker / attribution
- Olymp
- Registration number
- HT 38810
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial is signed OLYMP 17 JEWELS INCA-BLOC SWISS • The oval bezel is covered with many small faceted diamante stones • The case back features engraved leaf-like decorative patterns • The winding crown is located on the right side of the oval watch head
- Case and Dial Design
- The object is configured as a ring with an integrated timepiece. The watch head is mounted within an oval-shaped bezel, which serves as the primary visual element. This bezel is extensively decorated with numerous small, reflective diamante stones, creating a textured surface that surrounds the central watch dial. The dial is circular and finished in a light, neutral tone. It contains standard hour markers and is signed with the name "OLYMP". Additional technical descriptors are printed on the dial surface, specifying that the movement contains "17 JEWELS" and features "INCABLOC" shock protection. The country of origin for the movement is identified on the dial as "SWISS". A small, serrated winding crown is mounted on the side of the bezel to facilitate manual time setting and winding.
- Physical Construction
- The rear of the watch assembly, visible when the ring is removed from the finger, features a smooth metal plate framed by an oval structure. This rear surface is adorned with etched, repeating patterns resembling leaves or stylized vegetation. The band of the ring attaches to the underside of this oval watch head, providing a stable base for the mechanism. The physical footprint of the head is approximately 30 mm wide and 15 mm high, creating a prominent profile when worn. Construction materials are noted in museum documentation as silver and diamante, reflecting common materials used in personal accessory jewellery of the mid-to-late 20th century. The watch mechanism is contained directly within the decorative oval mount, linking the functions of horology and ornamentation.
- Provenance and History
- The ring is documented in the collection of Museums Victoria as part of the personal effects of Bernice Kopple, an Australian performer, model, and animal handler. Kopple, who migrated to Australia from Scotland in 1950, led a career that spanned various entertainment and modelling roles across Australia and New Zealand. She reportedly wore the ring during the 1960s and 1980s, a period coinciding with her active career as a model. The object was acquired by the museum through a donation from Rachel Legge in 2014.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact metal composition is not verified beyond the museum label description of silver
- Research required: The functional status of the 17-jewel movement is not reported