The FIRST brand to upcycle ammunition
The First Brand
to upcycle spent casings into eyewear
The new Caliber Optics 357 line from Vinylize incorporates spent cartridge cases as a functional element. Cartridges, otherwise known as casings or brass are the part that hold the bullet, gunpowder and primer. Casings are made from brass which is also one of the most popular metals used in jewelry making.
More than 12 billion brass casings are produced globally every year. Each brass casing is machined to fit the temple tip and then washed before being swagged into the temple of a 357 frame.
Crafted to deliver performance for years
357 is inspired by the philosophy of the modern firearm with emphasis on balance, durability and design
Named after one of the most iconic cartridges ever, the .357, the line features state of the art materials and technology. The frame front is stainless steel and uses a semi rimless construction to hold the lens in place to reduce frame front weight. A compressed spring is discharge machined into the beta titanium temples for maximum flexibility and comfort. An original 357 Magnum cartridge is swagged into each temple tip to create a counterweight. This element is visible in the end product and keeps the frame from slipping down the nose.
Minimalist
Semi-rimless frame front is stainless steel and weighs around 4 grams.
Flexible
Titanium temples incorporate an electric discharge machined compressed spring for flexibility and comfort.
Balanced
The counterweight weighs 5 grams per pair and is made from the iconic .357 Magnum cartridge.
Adjustable
Adjustable silicone nose pads keep the ultra-light frame fronts comfortable and slip free on the bridge.
“I wanted the Caliber Collection to be best eyewear my customers could ever buy,” says Zack. “This meant they need to last. Plant based plastics lose strength and become deformed by light and heat simply because they’re exposed to elements like UV rays. The metals and plastics we’ve selected will stay strong and retain their integrity for decades.”
As you’d expect from Vinylize, an eagle-eyed attention to detail characterizes packaging and point of presentation material. The point of purchase display is made from rifle hand guards.
The story behind a pioneering counterweight
Protect your eyes from dust and rays.
The aviator never goes out of style.
Each piece in the 357 line features a counterweight made from the rim of the bullet casing. The left field but highly logical idea to use spent bullet casings in eyewear came when Zack found some 9mm casings in Maui a few years ago.
“Nearly all frames are front heavy, which can cause them to slip down the nose,” Zack explains. “I’m inspired by everyday discarded man made things I come across and I realized that the heavy brass from the casings I found could be used on the temple tip as a counterweight to help glasses stay on the wearers’ face.”
“Nearly all frames are front heavy, which can cause them to slip down the nose,” Zack explains. “I’m inspired by everyday discarded man made things I come across and I realized that the heavy brass from the casings I found could be used on the temple tip as a counterweight to help glasses stay on the wearers’ face.”
