What do the Moon Landing and Easy Rider have in common? Cool dudes with stylish helmets travelling on hot vehicles? Well, yes, but we mean the sunglasses: in both cases, American Optical sunglasses played a significant role, which you can easily put on and take off without having to take off your astronaut or motorbike helmet because of the slip-in temples used.
W&W is happy to announce that we offer models of this legendary U.S. brand which right to the present time is still being manufactured in the AO complex in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
It was in 1958 that the Flight Goggle 58, now known as the Original Pilot Sunglass was engineeered and produced for the US military to provide pilots with maximum protection, flawless optical performance and high comfort. This model proved so successful that it was later honored to be the first ever sunglass to land on the moon, worn by Commander Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 in 1969. It now resides on permanent display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The classic and sturdy structure and high quality finishing of the steel alloy frame, coupled with distortion free, toughened and polished glass or polycarbonate lenses have gained the Original Pilot followers around the globe.

Do these sunglasses look familiar to you? No wonder, because the Shuron Ronsir starred in the movie Easy Rider on the nose of actor Jack Nicholson. The Browline Ronsir is one of the more significant frame designs of the 20th century, the first ever combination frame featuring plastic tops on metal rims with plastic temples. Developed in 1947 by Jack Rohrbach, a Shuron vice president, the frame became a run-away best seller that started a design trend that ultimately affected almost half of all frames sold during the 1950's. The lenses are made from Trivex, an urethane-based material with superior optics, ultra light weight and extreme strength.

The Sidewinders are true Rock’n’Roll shades with that authentic Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison look you always wanted. Feature wider paddle style temples with sturdy hinges for increased comfort and long service. The lenses are made from Trivex, an urethane-based material with superior optics, ultra light weight and extreme strength.

The distinctive style of these sunglasses goes back to the 1950's and Harley riders throughout the world made The Original KD’s the #1 selling biker sunglasses in the world. They stay on your head and keep the wind out of your eyes by fitting tightly on the temples and nosebridge and - most importantly, they look cool. KD's are lightweight, have long slim arms for better peripheral vision, and fit comfortably under a helmet. The strong polycarbonate frame makes them very durable, which is underline by wire-reinforced temples and metal hinges. All lenses are made from polycarbonate and meet ANSI Z80.3 general purpose UVA/UVB and impact resistance requirements.

While having all the good features of regular Original KD’s the Day2Nite version features photochromic lenses. On a bright sunny day, these lenses are smoke to afford protection from the sun. On cloudy days, nighttime and early morning they are clear to allow maximum visibility while still offering protection from wind, bugs and debris. The lenses are made from polycarbonate and meet ANSI Z80.3 general purpose UVA/UVB and impact resistance requirements.

The X-KD’s are just a little bigger than Original KD’s, or about 20% to be more specific. These are the shades for those reaching for the bigger hat size or those who prefer larger lenses. The lenses are made from acetate and meet ANSI Z80.3 general purpose UVA/UVB and impact resistance requirements.

The X-KD’s are just a little bigger than Original KD’s, or about 20% to be more specific. These are the shades for those reaching for the bigger hat size or those who prefer larger lenses. While having all the good features of regular X-KD’s the Day2Nite version features photochromic lenses. On a bright sunny day, these lenses are smoke to afford protection from the sun. On cloudy days, nighttime and early morning they are clear to allow maximum visibility while still offering protection from wind, bugs and debris. The lenses are made from polycarbonate and meet ANSI Z80.3 general purpose UVA/UVB and impact resistance requirements.