Savile Row Eyewear

Savile Row Eyewear is a brand of handmade luxury glasses, described as 'handmade luxury' and 'Iconic British Style'. The brand claims to be the eyewear maker of choice to royalty, icons of the silver screen, and musicians throughout the decades. Its history traces back to 1898 with the founding of Max Wiseman and Co., later renamed Algha Works, which supplied the RAF with Aviator sunglasses and the Beatles' eyewear.

The history of Savile Row Eyewear is linked to Max Wiseman and Co., founded in 1898 by Victorian entrepreneur Max Wiseman. In 1932, Wiseman acquired two factories producing rolled gold spectacles in Rathenow, Germany, and moved them to Smeed Road in East London, renaming the company Algha Works. During the war years (1934-1945), Algha Works supplied the RAF with Aviator sunglasses before the formation of Ray Ban, and in 1939 was called upon to manufacture gas masks and aviation goggles. In 1940, a bomb exploded in front of the factory during the Blitz, but Algha Works survived. In 1948, Algha Works was awarded a major contract to supply the newly-formed National Health Service. In 1967, the Beatles' eyewear was made by Algha, and in 1971, John Lennon composed 'Imagine' wearing his iconic eye specs with orange tinted lenses.

1. Savile Row Eyewear - Handmade Luxury Glasses
2. Our History - Savile Row Eyewear