T HENRI. Hypercars, in a pair of glasses
Tuatara, Pantera, Diablo: T HENRI turns the world’s most coveted cars into eyewear handmade in Sabae, in runs of 199 pieces or fewer per colour. The story, the construction and the models in the OCCHIO selection.
By OCCHIO
A Lamborghini Diablo, a De Tomaso Pantera, an SSC Tuatara. T HENRI turns the world’s most coveted cars into eyewear handmade in Sabae, Japan, produced in runs of no more than 199 pieces per colour.
This is not a logo brand. Its value lies in construction, rarity and a very specific language: the language of hypercars. In this guide we look at where T HENRI comes from, how its frames are built and which models in the OCCHIO selection are still available.
From supercars to eyewear.
T HENRI was founded by Tyler Gelb. Before designing eyewear, he spent more than a decade selling exotic sports cars to collectors around the world, after studying fashion and design in Paris. In 2021 Forbes covered the brand’s launch as one of the most meticulously crafted projects in luxury eyewear.
The idea is simple to describe and hard to execute: treat a frame like a limited-series car. Selected materials, visible mechanical components, a production number fixed from the start. Once a series sells out, it is not made again.
How a T HENRI frame is built.
Every frame is produced in Sabae, in Fukui Prefecture, the heart of high-end Japanese eyewear. The brand favours screws, pins and mechanical fastenings over glue: a choice you notice as soon as you hold a pair.
It shows in the details. The Cobra has a sculpted 12 mm acetate front, secured with three octagonal rivets to a 7-barrel modular Japanese hinge. The Elva combines titanium and acetate in a monoblock structure, with a hand-carved 8 mm front, a 5-barrel titanium hinge and Torx screws. Even the temple end caps, in titanium engraved with the brand emblem, are treated as components in their own right.
Colour names such as Deep Blue, Petra, Shadow II or L’or Bleu describe combinations of acetate layers, finishes and metal details developed for each model.
The models and the cars behind them.
Every name has a precise reference. Here are some frames from the OCCHIO selection, all built to take prescription lenses.
Tuatara · Deep Blue
Microproduction of 199 pieces. Inspired by the SSC Tuatara, the American hypercar built to break 300 mph. Flat, sharp lines and an acetate front with real presence. Also in our selection: the Tuatara Port (55 pieces) and the Tuatara Shamrock (65 pieces).
Pantera · Petra
Microproduction of 199 pieces. A tribute to the De Tomaso Pantera, the car that paired Italian design with the power of an American engine. Acetate and titanium, crisp edges and supercar details. Petra is a warm, mineral tone.
Diablo · Twilight
Microproduction of 199 pieces. The reference is the Lamborghini Diablo, the V12 icon of the 1990s. Twilight pairs deep navy blue with gold details, on an acetate and titanium construction.
Speedtail · Nero
Microproduction of 199 pieces. The name recalls the McLaren Speedtail, the three-seat hypercar with its elongated tail. The frame translates that aerodynamic elegance into measured forms: matte black acetate and titanium, nothing superfluous.
Corniche · Port
Microproduction of 35 pieces, one of the brand’s smallest runs. Corniche evokes a drive along a coastal road behind the wheel of a grand tourer. The Port colourway combines blue and brown on a broad, square shape.
Moonbeam · Verdant Serenade
Limited edition of 125 pieces, created in collaboration with Haute Couture designer Tamara Ralph. A titanium frame where the brand’s language meets the world of couture.
Looking for an optical frame? The Cobra, in Cocoa and Shadow II, and the Elva Deep Blue II bring the same construction to shapes designed for everyday wear.
Before you choose.
Choose a T HENRI the way you would a limited-edition watch: by its construction, its colour and its fit.
- Check the measurements. Lens width, bridge and temple length matter more than shape. Our frame size guide helps you compare them with your current glasses.
- Consider the weight. A thick acetate front has more presence; titanium makes a frame lighter. More in titanium and acetate: how a frame changes.
- Think about lenses. If you need prescription lenses, write to us before ordering: we’ll check compatibility with your prescription together.
Frequently asked questions.
Where are T HENRI glasses made?
In Sabae, Japan, the district in Fukui Prefecture where most of Japan’s high-end eyewear is produced.
How many pieces are made of each model?
No more than 199 per colourway. Some runs are much smaller: the Corniche Port exists in 35 pieces, the Tuatara Port in 55 and the Tuatara Shamrock in 65.
How much do T HENRI glasses cost?
In the OCCHIO selection, prices range from around €775 to €2,500, depending on materials and edition size.
Can T HENRI frames take prescription lenses?
Yes. T HENRI models are designed to take prescription lenses, as stated on each product page. If you have questions about your prescription, contact us before ordering.
Do you ship T HENRI eyewear internationally?
Yes, we ship across Europe, to the United States and worldwide with tracked courier. Every frame comes with a case and a cleaning cloth.
Can I see them in person?
Yes, at the OCCHIO boutique in Crema, Italy. As each model is available in very few pieces, we recommend contacting us first to check availability.
T HENRI at OCCHIO.
We chose T HENRI for the way it brings the precision of a mechanical object to eyewear. Some differences only become clear when you hold a frame in your hands.
To choose a model, open its product page for up-to-date photos, price and availability. To compare proportions and fit, read the size guide or message us to book a try-on at our boutique in Crema.
References: Forbes, the launch of T HENRI (2021) and T HENRI.