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My Savile Row eye glasses (pics).

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:47 pm
by jones the whip
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll30 ... 529337[url][/url]

These glasses were acquired through a local optician here in the U.K. (The gentleman was familiar with their maker, Mr Peter Viner).
I had a bit of trouble in obtaining the correct size, and these are the second pair that were sent.
I recommend that anyone wishing to buy a pair of these should contact Mr Viner directly, in writing, at Algha Group. :)
Cheers,
JTW.

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:37 pm
by Snakewhip_Sable
What did those set you back?

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:35 am
by jones the whip
These glasses are 'off the peg' not made to fit and the lenses are the original plastic samples. So they were a reasonable £80.
Cheers bud,
JTW.

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:59 am
by Imahomer
jones the whip wrote:These glasses are 'off the peg' not made to fit and the lenses are the original plastic samples. So they were a reasonable £80.
Cheers bud,
JTW.
That seems a little expensive for plastic samples!

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:16 pm
by jones the whip
The frames for my own reading glasses were over £100 that's before the prescription lenses were put it, so I thought these were a bargain.
Perhaps I have expensive tastes, I don't know. :roll:
Cheers
JTW. :)

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:20 pm
by Imahomer
Yea, I guess I'm just used to having a vision care plan.

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:54 am
by Indiana MarkVII
Is there a web site or e-mail address for Mr Viner at Algha Group?

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:29 pm
by jones the whip
His website is www.algha.com
He's quite a hard gentleman to pin down, I successfully contacted him via formal written correspondence (to the address on the website).
Just to remind you, I did not get my own glasses directly from Mr Viner but through a 'middle man'.
Cheers
JTW.

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:05 pm
by Indiana MarkVII
So which pair on the Algha site are the Indy frames? Are they in the classic section?

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:51 pm
by jones the whip
It's a bit confusing :?
The 'Indy' glasses cannot be seen on the website as each pair are made to order. An order can be placed by either contacting Mr Viner direct or through a reputable supplier as I did.
In the States, I believe you have a good supplier www.framesdirect.com
look for the Berkshire Chase collection and you'll find the glasses made by Mr Viner.
:)
Cheers
JTW.

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:53 pm
by maboot38
Man, those specs are soo cool looking, they make me wish I didn't have better than perfect vision so I'd have an excuse to buy them!

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:18 pm
by Indiana MarkVII
Thanks, jones the whip. I also got the FramesDirect link from a fellow Phoenix COW member in a PM, but it is great to share it here.

Maboots, you can order the frames with either no lenses or with clear glass (or lighter weight polycarbonate), uncorrected. Try calling FramesDirect. Then take care of the frames until you pass 40 or so, when most people who've had good vision, as I did, start the natural degradation and need a little help, and if you are lucky enough to have more birthdays, even more help as the years go by. ;-)

Here is a link to the make and style: The frames alone are a tad over $200 USD, then you have to add your lens material, anti-glare and scratch coating if desired. The total will around $350 or $400 for a pair.

http://www.framesdirect.com/framesfp/Be ... meo/r.html

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:21 pm
by jones the whip
Maboot, it's certainly worth acquiring a pair, even if just to be part of your I.J. memorabilia.
I don't wear full time glasses and the readers' I currently use will do me for the next few years. At some point down the line I will have prescription lenses added to the Savile Row frames but for the time being they're just nice to have around.
:)
Cheers guys,
JTW.

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:38 pm
by maboot38
Yeah, I don't know why I'm having such a hard time justifying £80 for glasses frames I don't need, considering I paid twice that for a whip!!!!!

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:11 am
by Ellon
I had bought a pair of the Berkshire Chase glasses from framesdirect.com a few years back. The customer service was very heplful. I had to send the first pair back because I had originally ordered the wrong size. The replacement frames look great.

From one who wears glasses all the time $200 isn't so much for a set of frames. I agree it is a bit much if the glasses are only for show.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:04 pm
by IndySmith
I see on the frames direct website theres a couple different names/descriptions for these frames, chesnut or blond, which did indy wear?

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:20 pm
by Imahomer
I'm thinking that I might get a pair for myself. I'm due for some glasses, so what the heck?

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:14 pm
by jones the whip
On the FramesDirect website I believe 'Chestnut' is the correct choice.
Cheers
JTW :)

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:22 pm
by Indiana Croft
What about these,
http://www.framesdirect.com/framesfp/Be ... lck/r.html

I know there not SA, but I don't like the feel of the side wrapping around my ear. I have a pair know, which my eye doc won't touch again for fear of damaging the acetate wrap around the lens and I need new glasses.

So whatcha think.

Croft :mrgreen:

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:34 pm
by jones the whip
They look like the same SA lense frames just with slightly different legs.
I know what you mean about the curled ear parts but in fact they are quite maliable and you can shape them to fit comfortably.
Cheers
JTW :)

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:32 am
by IndySmith
I checked with my insurance co. If I buy my frames from an "out of network provider" they will reimberse me part of the money. Then, if I take those frames and get lenses put in by my normal eye doctor, my insurance will cover it . My advice is if you already wear glasses, check with your insurance company, you may save a bundle.

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:30 pm
by jones the whip
I agree.
The more information you can gauge from a professional optician the better, even when just ordering frames.
The Savile Row Collection is internationally recognised, therefore it makes sense to seek expert advise. You never know what a saving you might make.
Cheers
JTW :)

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:55 pm
by Imahomer
IndySmith wrote:I checked with my insurance co. If I buy my frames from an "out of network provider" they will reimberse me part of the money. Then, if I take those frames and get lenses put in by my normal eye doctor, my insurance will cover it . My advice is if you already wear glasses, check with your insurance company, you may save a bundle.
Cool. That's the way to go!

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:10 am
by twilekjedi
I was cleaning out the drawers in my bathroom today and came across my old pair of glasses from the early 1990's:

Image

Minus the temple pieces, they're vaguely Indyesque, don't you think?

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:39 pm
by jones the whip
Very similar chestnut lense frames, nice. :)
JTW.

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:55 pm
by Indiana Croft
Very nice find, specialy since you've had them all this time.

Just got off the phone w/Frames Direct. They'll contact the mfg. (closed till next Monday) and see if I can get these in my size. The ones with the acetate fronts w/acetate half covered "cable" temple.

What I'm going to see if they can get them with the half acetate sides in the "polo temple", I tried researching there site to confirm I'm using the correct termanolgy. Polo should be what I consider to be your every day "standard" temple. Cause when I say temple all I can think of (no not Doom) the part near your temple and not the part that goes over the ear.
I'll get the wraps if I have to, but we'll see.

Also looks like for a few dollars more (18.00) than my O.D. I'll have them install the correct lens and get that part over with. Has anyone else had them install there perscription??

Croft :mrgreen:

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:15 am
by IndySmith
they make the same frames with a regular temple called the berkshire chase english beaufort 2, and they are cheaper than the seville row panto frame with cable temples.