Cubitts launches titanium frames 10 times stronger than acetate

Stylish spectacle makers Cubitts has just launched a collection of titanium frames, which weigh the same as a 20p coin without lenses in, while also being 10 times stronger than acetate and “almost impossible to bend out of shape.”

Cubitts Founder Tom Broughton has been working on the brand’s lightest and strongest frames for the past two years, and has designed four different frame styles for the ‘Titanium’ collection; ‘Turnball’, ‘Morgan’, ‘Barlow’ and ‘Plimsoll’.

The frame names pay homage to the brand’s roots, and are named after architects and engineers who helped to build Kings Cross, the home of Cubitts' first store which opened in 2012.

Broughton said: “Titanium is an extraordinary material, but most of the designs that exist are pretty naff. So, we designed each component from scratch, to make use of the beauty of the underlying material. The results are that it's incredibly light - under 5g, and even lighter than a 20p piece, and it’s extremely strong.

Additionally, the way we've designed it, the bridge and then temple tip create a lateral grip, so the frame stays in place. That means it's great for jogging, playing sports and cycling."

With the frames being so sturdy and built to last, also comes a big sustainability factor, which Broughton is keen to point out: “With a titanium frame, there's less material wastage. The frame components are forged directly from raw titanium material - versus acetate where the frame is cut from a slab, resulting in around 70% of the material being wasted.

“The even bigger consideration is the strength and durability, as the titanium is 10 times stronger than acetate, incredibly hard and also really flexible, so it will last for years and years.”

Each style is available in two sizes, medium and large, and four colours; antique gold, shiny silver, shiny gold and gunmetal. The frames cost £225.

To celebrate coming out of lockdown, Cubitts is including a complimentary Redux case (RRP £50) with any order, while stocks last. The Redux case, designed for Cubitts by industrial designer Daniel Weil, is made from a single piece of material, with almost zero waste. Its slender design includes hand stitches, which can be repaired to last for many years to come.