"Saratoga" sunglasses - Tortoise

American Optical was founded in 1833. After starting out mainly developing optical lenses, AO began producing sunglasses in Southbridge, Massachusetts in 1876. American Optical is therefore rightly regarded as the world's first sunglass manufacturer. In 1913, AO applied for a patent for UV protection together with the scientist William Crookes.

World War I: When the US entered the war in 1917, the US Army turned to American Optical to equip the Allied troops. American Optical sent eight mobile units with development machines into the field to meet the demand for spectacle frames, corrective lenses and sunglasses. Two metal frames called "Liberty" and "Victory" were produced in quantities of 2.5 million to support the war effort.

World War II: American Optical continued to develop new optical products in its research laboratories. The Southbridge factory produced precision telescopic sights, bomb guidance systems and aviator masks and goggles such as the iconic G2 aviator goggles. Between 1943 and 1944, a total of 10 million frames, 6.5 million lenses and over 5 million pairs of sunglasses were supplied to the armed forces. In 1946, American Optical's contribution to the war effort was so great that the company was honored with the "Army Navy E Award" for its dedication to the national cause.

AO and the "Aviator" glasses:

American Optical received a military contract from November 1941 for its aviator D1 eyewear model, which had already been developed in 1935, and later for the Aviator G2, codenamed AN 6531, which very quickly replaced it in 1942. The Aviator G2 was the only Aviator eyewear supplied to the US Air Force during the Second World War.

The development of the Original Pilot in 1958:

American Optical developed the HGU-4/P, also known as the Original Pilot, at the request of the US Air Force. The goal was to replace the G2, which had become obsolete due to technological advances. The Original Pilot was initially produced for US Army pilots to provide them with maximum protection, optical performance and comfort. The standard 20 mm nose bridge made it possible to wear a gas mask at the time, while the right temples, the so-called "bayonet", made it easier to wear a helmet and thus prevented possible ear injuries in the event of a crash.

The first glasses on the moon:

The Original Pilot was the first pair of glasses on the moon. They were worn by Commander Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 on July 21, 1969. A historical specimen can be found in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

Nowadays:

The Original Pilots are popular with all US troops, infantry, cavalry pilots and, of course, Air Force pilots. Even today, the Original Pilot is still manufactured and assembled entirely in the AO factory in Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA, and is under military contract.

They have become cult objects thanks to numerous actors such as Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver", Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now" or, most recently, Jon Hamm as Don Draper in the series "Mad Men".

Shipping within Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Free priority shipping from an order value of SFr. 100. Orders are usually dispatched on the same or the next working day (if ordered after 3 pm). Except Monday (our day off).

Shipping to the EU

We ship parcels abroad with UPS. The complete price including shipping costs, customs duties and VAT will be displayed in the last step of the checkout before you complete your purchase. All costs are therefore already paid here in the store, nothing more is due on receipt (DDP - Delivered Duty Paid).

Returns

You can return most items within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. The condition is that the items are returned as new (i.e. unworn, unwashed, with all labels etc.). We will cover the return costs if the return is due to an error on our part (you have received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You can expect to receive your refund within one to two weeks of handing over the parcel to the post office / UPS, but in many cases it will be quicker. This time frame includes the time it takes us to receive your return from the carrier (1 to 3 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (1 business day), and the time it takes your bank, credit card company, Postfinance, Twint, etc. to process our refund request (immediate to 10 business days).

If you wish to return an item, please note whether you would like a refund or an exchange.

Availability in the webshop

All items that can be ordered are usually available from us and can be dispatched immediately. You will be informed immediately in the event of errors.

Availability in the store

Most, but not all, of the items displayed in the webshop are also in stock in the store. Motorcycle clothing may be in stock in winter for space reasons, just as heavy knitwear, coats or fall/winter hats may be in stock in summer.

Individual items and items on sale are also often in stock.

Red Wing and other shoes are in the store all year round.

It is best to ask about a specific item before visiting.

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Are you interested in an item that is sold out? We will be happy to tell you if and when we expect a subsequent delivery.