Tucked away in a quiet atelier in Sabae, Japan, the centuries-old tradition of titanium craftsmanship meets modern expression with the Knightsbridge Green eyewear collection.
Revered for its durability and understated lustre, titanium is the pinnacle of exceptional design. It requires utmost skill, composed with the same deliberate care of a practiced calligrapher, the delicate hand of a kintsugi artist or the sharp eye of a tailor.
Each detail reflects traditional Japanese philosophy, welcoming the natural characteristics of the metal, from the strength of every line to the deep-rooted gratitude beyond the frame. Principles that resound with the values at Cutler and Gross’s core.
We first welcomed titanium eyewear made in Japan in 2001, with styles that showcased both the material’s potential and the country’s devotion to craft. More than two decades later, that same spirit continues to guide each design.
A study in form, balance and restraint, this collection of opticals and sunglasses presents aviator, round, oval, and square silhouettes, each one meticulously handcrafted in Japan. The process is as much an act of discipline as it is a pursuit of beauty, where precision and skill meet in every line.
Threading throughout the collection is an evolution of the signature Oyster pin, an emblem of Cutler and Gross’s lineage and evolution. Discreetly placed along the brow bar, nose bridge, and temples, it binds the collection with a distinct essence. From the clean geometry of the Lansdowne 1431 to the ethereal lightness of the Draycott 1426, each frame is an articulation of deliberate care.
A material that takes years to master, titanium is shown here in its purest form: lightweight, resilient, and precise. The Cranley 1425 reflects the structural clarity of classic aviators, while opticals like the Lennox 1428 and Pelham 1430 introduce layered complexity with hand-rolled rim wire and hand-applied lacquer detailing.
Fitted with ZEISS lenses, the sunglass styles combine utmost performance with modern elegance, ensuring maximum UVA and UVB protection without compromising on integrity.
At the core, these styles are defined by their subtlety, where innovation meets tradition and every frame is a quiet testament to the power of titanium elevated into art.
Beyond The Material
First discovered in the late 1700s, titanium as a mineral garnered its name from the Titans of Greek mythology, rulers of Earth and notorious for their brawn. The eponymous metal has since served as a staple, from industrial beginnings to more elegant use in modern day. Its raw, silvery luster and its rare ability to marry hardiness with featherlight finesse allows it to serve as a material built to endure.
In a world increasingly defined by speed and scale, Japan remains an outlier. Here, titanium transcends utility, emerging instead as an object of reverence. Not only is there an extensive history in its production, but the appreciation is unmatched. In Japanese design, value is not measured by novelty, but by the story embedded in each crease, texture, and curve of the metal, whether that be in an airplane, kitchen knife or pair of sunglasses. Every object is imbued with a spirit of monozukuri, or the soul of making.
Japan’s artisanal legacy is not confined to the past; it is a living tradition, found in everything from the glint of a Damascus blade to careful ink brushstrokes on washi paper. Craft is fundamental. Traditional Japanese principles permeate the collection. Rich in the ideology of wabi-sabi, which celebrates imperfection and impermanence, styles also pay tribute to the quiet heroism of the Shokunin, or masters who commit their lives to the perfection of a single craft. Through their hands, titanium eyewear becomes more than metal, it becomes meaning.
Savile Row to Sabae
At the crossroads of heritage and innovation stands Knightsbridge Green, garnered from Cutler and Gross’s flagship store that opened its doors at 16 Knightsbridge Green, London in 1971 and still stands there today. Styles in the collection are named after distinguished avenues of London and realised through the lens of Japanese precision, each as a testament to the dialogue between East and West. One that honours differences in expression, while sharing the same design language.
From the technicality of Sabae’s handcrafted eyewear, to the rich history of sartorial tailoring on Savile Row in London, each epicenter shares a quiet connection through material appreciation. The Meiji era of the late 1800s to early 1900s saw Japanese elites adopting British tailoring as a symbol of modernity, while British designers later embraced Japanese minimalism and deconstruction in the 20th century, thanks to pioneers like Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto. The collection meets the duality of both cultures, welcoming titanium glasses with ornate detailing, drawing parallels between the fluid grace of Wagara patterns or the delicate pinstripes of a suit.
It’s in this exchange between past and present, East and West, London and Sabae, where eyewear finds its voice. One that speaks softly, but lingers. Crafted not for the moment, but for the ages.
Shop The Collection
Crafted With Precision, Worn For Strength
Tucked away in a quiet atelier in Sabae, Japan, the centuries-old tradition of titanium craftsmanship meets modern expression with the Knightsbridge Green eyewear collection.
Revered for its durability and understated lustre, titanium is the pinnacle of exceptional design. It requires utmost skill, composed with the same deliberate care of a practiced calligrapher, the delicate hand of a kintsugi artist or the sharp eye of a tailor.
Each detail reflects traditional Japanese philosophy, welcoming the natural characteristics of the metal, from the strength of every line to the deep-rooted gratitude beyond the frame. Principles that resound with the values at Cutler and Gross’s core.
We first welcomed titanium eyewear made in Japan in 2001, with styles that showcased both the material’s potential and the country’s devotion to craft. More than two decades later, that same spirit continues to guide each design.
A study in form, balance and restraint, this collection of opticals and sunglasses presents aviator, round, oval, and square silhouettes, each one meticulously handcrafted in Japan. The process is as much an act of discipline as it is a pursuit of beauty, where precision and skill meet in every line.
Threading throughout the collection is an evolution of the signature Oyster pin, an emblem of Cutler and Gross’s lineage and evolution. Discreetly placed along the brow bar, nose bridge, and temples, it binds the collection with a distinct essence. From the clean geometry of the Lansdowne 1431 to the ethereal lightness of the Draycott 1426, each frame is an articulation of deliberate care.
A material that takes years to master, titanium is shown here in its purest form: lightweight, resilient, and precise. The Cranley 1425 reflects the structural clarity of classic aviators, while opticals like the Lennox 1428 and Pelham 1430 introduce layered complexity with hand-rolled rim wire and hand-applied lacquer detailing.
Fitted with ZEISS lenses, the sunglass styles combine utmost performance with modern elegance, ensuring maximum UVA and UVB protection without compromising on integrity.
At the core, these styles are defined by their subtlety, where innovation meets tradition and every frame is a quiet testament to the power of titanium elevated into art.
Beyond The Material
First discovered in the late 1700s, titanium as a mineral garnered its name from the Titans of Greek mythology, rulers of Earth and notorious for their brawn. The eponymous metal has since served as a staple, from industrial beginnings to more elegant use in modern day. Its raw, silvery luster and its rare ability to marry hardiness with featherlight finesse allows it to serve as a material built to endure.
In a world increasingly defined by speed and scale, Japan remains an outlier. Here, titanium transcends utility, emerging instead as an object of reverence. Not only is there an extensive history in its production, but the appreciation is unmatched. In Japanese design, value is not measured by novelty, but by the story embedded in each crease, texture, and curve of the metal, whether that be in an airplane, kitchen knife or pair of sunglasses. Every object is imbued with a spirit of monozukuri, or the soul of making.
Japan’s artisanal legacy is not confined to the past; it is a living tradition, found in everything from the glint of a Damascus blade to careful ink brushstrokes on washi paper. Craft is fundamental. Traditional Japanese principles permeate the collection. Rich in the ideology of wabi-sabi, which celebrates imperfection and impermanence, styles also pay tribute to the quiet heroism of the Shokunin, or masters who commit their lives to the perfection of a single craft. Through their hands, titanium eyewear becomes more than metal, it becomes meaning.
Savile Row to Sabae
At the crossroads of heritage and innovation stands Knightsbridge Green, garnered from Cutler and Gross’s flagship store that opened its doors at 16 Knightsbridge Green, London in 1971 and still stands there today. Styles in the collection are named after distinguished avenues of London and realised through the lens of Japanese precision, each as a testament to the dialogue between East and West. One that honours differences in expression, while sharing the same design language.
From the technicality of Sabae’s handcrafted eyewear, to the rich history of sartorial tailoring on Savile Row in London, each epicenter shares a quiet connection through material appreciation. The Meiji era of the late 1800s to early 1900s saw Japanese elites adopting British tailoring as a symbol of modernity, while British designers later embraced Japanese minimalism and deconstruction in the 20th century, thanks to pioneers like Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto. The collection meets the duality of both cultures, welcoming titanium glasses with ornate detailing, drawing parallels between the fluid grace of Wagara patterns or the delicate pinstripes of a suit.
It’s in this exchange between past and present, East and West, London and Sabae, where eyewear finds its voice. One that speaks softly, but lingers. Crafted not for the moment, but for the ages.
Shop The Collection