Havelock by Leisure Society
My sunglass of the week is the Havelock by Leisure Society. I believe everyone needs a good aviator sunglass in their collection. It is one of those iconic styles that just looks great on so many people. In a world of eyewear one of the standout brands for design and craftsmanship is Leisure Society by Shane Baum.
Hal Rubenstein wrote a nice article for Forbes magazine in which he talked to Shane about what makes Leisure Society special and unique. In the article, Shane says, “I am trying to say this with as much modesty as I can. Leisure Society glasses radiate luxury without ostentation and are among the best in the world.”
The collection is made up of classic frame styles, but with a fine detailing the likes of which is rare in eyewear design today. The Havelock I am wearing along with the rest of the metal frames in the collection are made of Japanese titanium. They are then plated in either 12, 18 or 24 karat gold, which makes the finishes durable and knockout gorgeous. Because of all the steps involved in making one of these frames they are only able to produce 16 per day.
I have great news for all of you out there who are fans of luxury eyewear, but who also like to wear polarized lenses. All Leisure Society frames come with Polarized CR-39 lenses with hydrophobic coating and a proprietary 12 layer anti-reflective UGR12 coating that is 99.9% distortion free. These lenses are also coated with Diamond Cast anti-scratch coating. What does all that mean? These lenses are some of the most protective and soothing to wear that you will find.
The Havelock features a Japanese Windsor rim around the eye wire of the lens. It gives the appearance more color and thickness, and the blue in the model I am wearing in the picture at the top nicely compliments the imperial blue detailing on the hinges and bridge.
At a price range of $475 to $1,260 Leisure Society frames are not inexpensive, but with features and design elements like these they are well worth the price. The Havelock I am wearing in the picture featuring 12k silver is $715, and fits medium to wide face sizes.