What defines the top of vintage eyewear? If it's French, there's no doubt it's a Parisian frame with a coreless 3-dot design. And for American eyewear, those who read the AFTER journal will already understand that it's the Tart Optical Arnel.
While the Arnel was still relatively easy to acquire about 10 years ago, it has become increasingly rare in recent years.
The reasons for this scarcity likely include its wide range of sizes and color variations, the prevalence of fakes due to its popularity, and, more than anything, its highly universal design that, unlike French avant-garde styles, still seamlessly fits into modern aesthetics. For those who have found the perfect size for their face, especially in their preferred color, it becomes an ultimate pair of glasses that they have no reason to part with. There aren't many other eyeglasses like that.
The Arnel, a classic yet reigning as the top of vintage eyewear. With a pair in a popular color and size now in stock, please allow me to reintroduce it to you on this occasion.
Unlike previous eyewear manufacturers, Tart Optical did not start as a factory; it was a pioneer of eyewear brands in the form we see today. The brand's name was printed on the paper sleeves of the time, suggesting an awareness of branding as a mass-produced product.
At the same time, a clear characteristic of Tart Optical back then was how clearly its history as a vision correction device was still evident. This can be seen in the brand name "Optical" and its extensive range of sizes.
Original Arnel frames existed with lens widths from 40mm to 46mm, and for each of those, multiple bridge widths were available. The frame we are handling this time is 44-24, a size that is not only easy for Japanese people to wear but also has a bridge width of 24mm, which I personally find to be the most beautiful size.
(Top) The 24 engraving indicates the bridge distance. On the left side, there is a 44 engraving indicating the lens size.
(Bottom) 5 3/4 indicates the temple length in inches. This shows that temple sizes were also varied according to the front size.
The reason for the Arnel's immense popularity is, above all, its high degree of perfection. While it boasts a simple shape that isn't overly pretentious, the wedge-shaped rivets and keyhole accents add a subtle tension, resulting in a truly exquisite and timeless design. This is an atmosphere rarely found in French frames.
The universality of its design has already been proven by history. The original Arnel was sold from the 50s to the 60s, but since then, many brands have used the Arnel as a design source. Famous models that are now the face of their respective brands, such as American Optical, Moscot's Lemtosh, and Oliver Peoples' Sheldrake, can trace their history back to the original Arnel.
Just like classic mid-century furniture or Levi's 501s, there are rare products whose universality transcends time and acceptance, profoundly influencing the direction of all subsequent designs in the same field. In the history of eyewear, Tart Optical's Arnel stands at the forefront of such products.
However, the Arnel has now become difficult to acquire. It's not just that prices have soared, but rather that the items themselves have simply stopped appearing on the market. This is especially true for popular colors like Black and Amber, and golden sizes like 44-24 and 46-22.
Beyond being merely a rare vintage item, it is an extremely important presence in the history of eyewear design. Opportunities to possess a piece of history like this do not come often. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to inquire.
