heroandvillainstyle.com may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post via affiliate partnerships.
When the film was first released, James Bond’s sunglasses in 2015’s Spectre caused a buzz online in both the Bond and Men’s Style communities, and show us how classic eye wear should be done in the modern era.
James Bond’s Spectre Sunglasses include the Tom Ford Snowdon, FT0237, the Tom Ford Henry FT0248, both in the 52N ‘Dark Havana’ colour, and in the Austria scenes, a pair of Vuarnet Px 027 glacier goggles. They all provide a classic and elegant look, and fit right in with the rest of James Bond’s style.
This increases their value, as it means that they can be paired with any ensemble.
On top of this, with such a reputable brand, you are almost guaranteed superior quality.
Not only will you look incredible, but the frames featured in this film could last you a life time.
In this article, I will delve into both of Tom Ford’s James Bond Spectre sunglasses in great depth, covering the colouring options, and sizing.
James Bond’s Tom Ford Snowdon Spectre Sunglasses (FT0237)
I love these sunglasses.
Like all Tom Ford frames, they are produced by the sunglasses manufacturing conglomerate Marcolin, who are responsible for other brands such as Diesel and Timberland.
They are perfect for any stylish man (or woman – they are unisex), and feature thick acetate frames and the trademark silver T on each temple.
In 2015’s Spectre, James Bond rocks these as he goes undercover at the Spectre members’ funeral in the Rome scenes.
Being part of my collection since 2018, I frequently bring them out, especially when I am not sure which frames would go best with my outfit.
This is because of the especially versatile Wayfarer shape and style.
Created in 1952 by Bausch & Lomb, Ray-Ban’s Parent Company at the time, this shape has found fame in film, appearing in pictures such as Tom Cruise’s ‘Risky Business’, and the classic 1980 flick ‘The Blues Brothers’.
However, this Tom Ford variant adopts a slightly more delicate and feminine appearance than traditionally seen.
It rounds out the face by featuring a slightly softer top lens.
Because of this, these glasses are preferable for more structured face types, which compensate for the softness with strong angles.
This is why it works well for Daniel Craig, as his strong features contrast well with the softness provided.
They have been designed this way because they are unisex, and will not appear polarising and aggressive when paired with typical female facial features.
However, those with less definitive features can pull it off too, as the lack of sharp edges will enhance masculine features, and allow them to take the spotlight.
So, all in all, the Tom Ford Snowdon is a good style for pretty much any face type, as they help to balance everything out.
Tom Ford Snowdon Colouring
Tom Ford offers multiple colour variants of the Snowdon. However, at least in the UK, the only ones directly available from Tom Ford are the 05B and the 52N.
The James Bond Spectre sunglasses are in the colour 52N, which is commonly referred to as ‘Dark Havana’.
The 05Bs are just plain shiny black, and are the ones that Harvey Specter wears in Suits.
So, in summary, the difference between the two is that the 52N includes a dark tortoiseshell effect.
But, when I say dark – I mean dark.
It is very difficult to tell that the 52N has any type of pattern, as the tortoiseshell is only really visible when it is put up to a light, or when the light catches it.
Typically, dark frames don’t work well on lighter completions, but as someone with blonde hair and fair skin, these glasses look fine.
This can also be seen with Daniel Craig himself.
Other colours that can be found on different outlet websites include 56B, ‘Light Havana’, 05B which is ‘black on Havana’ (black arms with a Havana face), 62J ‘horn brown’, and variations of the five mentioned with different lens colours.
So, in summary, the frame colouring options for the Tom Ford Snowdon are:
- 05B Shiny Black
- 52N Dark Havana (James Bond’s Spectre Sunglasses)
- 56B Light Havana
- 62J Horn Brown
Tom Ford Snowdon Sizing
Snowdons come in two sizes:
- 50-21
- 52-20
The number before the dash (50/52) represents the lens width, and the number after the dash (21/20) represents the bridge width. A good resource for visulising this can be found here.
So, the larger 52 version has wider lenses, but a narrower bridge.
Both sizes feature a 145mm temple length.
The size worn by Bond in the film is 50-21. For most people, this will be the size you want to go for.
The larger 52-20 version, when I tried them on, looked too slightly too big and out of proportion for my face.
Even though there are only a few millimetres between the two sizes, it does make the glasses look radically different.
Therefore, I would recommend for you to purchase one pair of each size to find out which looks better, and send back the ones you don’t like.
Alternatively, most brands (including Tom Ford) can be found in physical stores such as Sunglasses Hut, where you can go on and try the glasses on in person.
Ordering
I had huge problems buying these glasses, the main problem of which being the variation between even the same sizes.
It took me to order 4 pairs to find one that worked for me.
This is because each frame I feel fit differently, looked slightly different, had different tortoiseshell patterns, and had different extents of ‘defects’.
Even though there were no severe defects on any of them, all of the Snowdons that I have handled have slightly wobbly hinges, some more so than others.
This means that the silverware T at the front of the sunglasses sometimes does not match up perfectly with the continuation on the side.
However, I have handled other Tom Ford models, and they have been perfectly ridged.
Therefore, it is likely to be a problem with the Snowdon specifically.
But the inconsistency between pairs of the same type makes it very difficult to buy these frames (if you’re picky about this sort of stuff, like me).
My first pair of size 50s were very uncomfortable and didn’t look right. However, the second pair, which I have kept, are much more comfortable and look amazing.
I don’t have an explanation for this.
It could potentially be something to do with the angle of the sunglasses arms, and how it sits on your face.
James Bond’s Tom Ford Henry Spectre Sunglasses (FT0248)
As with a majority of James Bond’s Spectre wardrobe, these Tom Ford Henry’s are a throwback to the decade of the first EON films, the 1960s.
The Henry is of a semi-rimless Clubmaster (also known as Browline) shape, which was very typical of the period.
They are worn by Bond in the Morocco scenes.
These are another classic that you should definitely add to your collection, and alike the Snowdons, are incredibly versatile.
Colouring
James Bond’s Tom Ford Henry sunglasses are in the colour 52A, ‘Dark Havana’.
Like with the Snowdon, they also come in multitude of colours, such as 05B, which features gold metal and black acetate, and 56E, gold metal with Light Havana acetate.
Again, there are also multiple variations with different colour lenses.
Sizing
The Tom Ford Henry comes in two sizes:
- 51
- 53
The only difference between them is that the lens width with size 53 is 53mm opposed to 51mm – there is no change in bridge width unlike with the Snowdon.
The 51s will again look best on most faces.
The 53s looked too large and out of proportion (for me at least) when I tried them on.
However, I should note that I didn’t think these frames worked particularly well for my face shape when trying them on.
General Information (Applicable to all of James Bond’s Spectre Sunglasses)
The Lenses
Both of James Bond’s Spectre sunglasses feature a polycarbonate lens of category 3, which is a ‘dark tint’.
Category 3 is suitable for strong sunlight, and unlike category 4 of lenses, is suitable for wearing while driving.
Furthermore, the polycarbonate lenses are very light and impact resistant, making them high in quality.
The lenses are non-polarized, so you will still get reflection glare from surfaces such as water.
Counterfeit Products
There are many counterfeit versions of Tom Ford products on the market.
However, they are usually very easy to spot, and stick out like a sore thumb.
But in my buying quest, I became interested in what a certain number on the inside of the sunglasses I had purchased meant.
On the right inside temple, you can find a number in the form x – x.y.
In the case of the glasses I have kept, it is 1 – 1.8.
However, on the other Snowdons that I purchased online (and have since returned), they had 2-2.7 and 2-2.8.
I reached out to both Tom Ford and Marcolin to enquire as to what these numbers mean.
I did not get a reply from Marcolin, but here is what the folks at Tom Ford had to say:
Tom Ford’s Response
Dear Luke,
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
We appreciate your interest in our Snowden Sunglasses, and we are happy to assist you with product details. The numbers on the right temple signify where and when the sunglasses were made and have nothing to do with the sizing.
The number 1 (before the dash) represents the frame is made in Italy. If the number before the dash begins with a 2 and says “Made In Italy”, these are not a Tom Ford original frame.
The number 2.5 or 2.8 (after the dash) represent the frame is made in the second half of the year, between July and December. A number 1 here would represent the frame is made in the first half of the year, between January and June. The CE at the end, again, represents the frame is made in Italy.
The links you provided all show 1-2.5 TOM FORD MADE IN ITALY CE. If you see a frame with 1-2.8 TOM FORD MADE IN ITALY CE, they are the same as they are both made in the 2nd half of the year.
Kind regards,
The TOMFORD.com Customer Service Team
What does this mean?
To me, it is not entirely clear what they mean by a pair not being a ‘Tom Ford original frame’.
When I point blank asked them if they were fake in a follow up e-mail, they avoided the question and gave me a very similar answer.
So, take what you want from this information.
I purchased all of my Snowdons from reputable retailers and sunglass outlets operating in the grey market, and I find it hard to believe that they would be issuing me with a fake.
On top of this, comparing all of the pairs that I had, the ones that had a ‘2’ listed seemed identical to the ones that had a ‘1’ listed.
So, if they were a fake, they were what some call ‘superfakes’, which are fake products that are extremely accurate.
Conclusion – James Bond’s Spectre Sunglasses
It’s fair to say that these classically styled Italy made pieces are a safe bet.
They both high quality, and will last you a life time if looked after correctly.
James Bond’s Spectre sunglasses match with almost anything, and will certainly leave you and others shaken, but not stirred.
