The 1965 James Bond classic, “Thunderball,” finds 007 in the Bahamas racing against the clock to find two atomic bombs before SPECTRE, who is, of course, holding the world at ransom for £100 million worth of diamonds, detonates one in Miami. The world may be in peril but that doesn’t mean Bond (Sir Sean Connery) can’t soak up some sun in Nassau with the beautiful Dominique “Domino” Derval (Claudine Auger).
The resort attire Bond wears in The Bahamas is still influencing brands like Hemingsworth, Orlebar Brown, and Sunspel more than 50 years later. While many of the pieces are easy to identify, the navy Fred Perry polo shirt and Jantzen swim shorts for example, the sunglasses Sir Sean wears in much if the movie have proven to be more difficult to ID; the most likely model is the Polaroid Cool Ray N135. (Thanks to Iconic Alternatives for the info on the Polariods!)
Thankfully Mason & Sons, via their Curry & Paxton optical line, have released the appropriately named “Sean” model. The Sean sunglasses feature gorgeous piano black over tortoiseshell cellulose frames manufactured by Mazzucchelli, five-barrel hinges, and 100% UV protection green lens.
The construction and materials of the Sean is top-notch. Easily on the same level as my Tom Ford Snowdons, and a notch or two above my Ray-Ban New Wayfarer. I have a narrow face the 50mm lens width fits me really well. Living in Florida means that wearing sunglasses every day really is a necessity and it’s nice having a pair that’s unique and not sold in the mall. “Thunderball” is also my favorite Bond film so having a “Bond Experience” every time I wear them makes them pretty special too!