Had a pair of NHS John Lennons - one of the most comfortable spectacles I have ever owned. Also had the plastic 524s in black. The days when it was NHS, or pay over-the-odds for a private frame. Anyway they are still in business
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2397428/See-inside-The-Algha-Works-Britains-bespoke-spectacle-frame-factory.html
I am amazed that they are still in business, and at the same factory, given their proximity to the Olympic Stadium. Good for them.
http://vimeo.com/31077202
I had a black pair of 524s but never wore them. I always liked the childrens version in blue. I eventually bought an expensive 'designer' version after wearing contact lenses.
Taken over and then sold off again. Berwick style looks pretty good too.
Not sure how much the frames retail for now http://www.algha.com/information/history/
Love the old drawing board. Takes me back.
I had the John Lennon ones. My brother had the 524/525 with the obligatory ball of cello tape to hold the broken arm on.
When I first became myopic, I went for the Highway type specs, which were still quite popular in the early 80s. I had the 525 in black as back-up, at the time I considered them horrendous and when I had my normal frames getting fixed, I skivved-off school for nearly a week, for the shame of being seen in these spectacles and be called Elvis Costello.
I like it a lot. You know precisely what your talking about exactly where other people are coming from on this issue.
Bump for this thread! The rebranded Algha Works appears to now have a cult celebrity following under the brand Savile Row:
http://savileroweyewear.com/
I feel the market has reached saturation point for browline and thick Moscot type spectacles and the move will be back towards rimless frames. I am contemplating getting the Diaflex Panto or Round, as worn by Eric Clapton (oh dear) and Steve Jobs.
There are two opticians near me stocking the Savile Row spectacles and as I expected, I plumped for the Diaflex Round in rhodium. Eric Clapton's ones looked good too. The whole range is nicely subdued, classic and not overtly in your face like say Oliver Peoples, or the thicker frames that have been in fashion over the last couple of years. They're quality and a mile away from the herd, I may well be buying some more of this brand.
The optician said he had been to the factory workshop in London, he said it's archaic with broken lifts and lathes from the 1920's, but the vibe is one of quality and craftsmanship. I may go for the Beaufort next.
These used to be very popular in Germany a couple of years back.