What defines classic design, and how do you create something that will look elegant and refined in decades to come? Opticians Thomas and Charlotta Meyer approached this issue by making high quality materials and perfect workmanship the focus of Meyer eyewear, while keeping the shape and proportions of Meyer glasses simple, sleek and flattering. Like a cashmere coat or bespoke suit, Meyer represents understated luxury and total comfort that only the wearer can truly appreciate.
Meyer eyewear was born in 2004, when Thomas and his Swedish wife, Charlotta, both opticians, became disenchanted with the designer eyewear market. Disappointed with both the quality of materials and manufacturing standards employed by some of the big name brands, they decided to create their own line of Meyer optical glasses. These would be made from strong but flexible materials that would be treated to enhance both their durability and aesthetic appeal, while the frames would be lightweight, comfortable and a pleasure to wear.
The resultant Meyer frames are made from 100% titanium, beta titanium or cellulose acetate and are all handmade in Germany by skilled and experienced craftsmen. Charlotta’s Scandinavian sensibility is evident, with pared back features, beautifully balanced proportions and streamlined components all hallmarks of Meyer eyewear designs. But such apparent simplicity is deceptive – the company uses cutting-edge technology to add quietly indulgent details such as screwless frame hinges that ensure lasting stability and a firm folding mechanism, while the balance of durability and flexibility in its materials is carefully calculated to achieve maximum levels of strength and comfort.
Another subtly luxurious element of Meyer glasses is the brand’s exclusive titanium surface finishes. An elaborate PVD (physical vapour deposition) process super-heats titanium into a vapourous state and then condenses it onto the glasses to form hardened layers of colour which include black, berry (a deep red) and mocha (a rich dark brown). To achieve lighter hues – without losing any depth of colour intensity – the titanium is anodized (an electrolytic process in which metals are coated with a protective oxide layer). Altering the voltage used during this process produces layers of varying thicknesses which, in turn, filter varying amounts of light from the visible spectrum. The result is a range of fresh, uplifting shades including mauve, violet, turquoise and spearmint.
Both these highly technical and carefully managed processes result in finishes that are highly resistant to corrosion, even under the harshest conditions. The frames are also biocompatible – meaning that the coloured coating will not be damaged by wear and stress over time. And perhaps that is just as well – in our experience, customers hang on to their Meyer glasses for as long as they possibly can.
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