Pince Nez
Pince Nez Glasses
Discover genuine antique pince nez glasses: eyeglasses that grip the nose without arms behind the ears. Browse Oxford, spring bridge, hard bridge and Astig styles in gold, silver, tortoise and black.
Choose your frame alone or order prescription lenses fitted before delivery.
PRESCRIPTION LENSES
Antique pince nez with modern prescription lenses
We can supply your chosen pince nez with prescription lenses professionally fitted before delivery. Select Add Custom Lenses on the product page and provide a copy of your prescription and your pupillary distance (PD).
Suitability depends on your prescription, the fit and the frame’s lens dimensions. Custom lenses cost extra and are non-refundable. Lenses made incorrectly against the prescription supplied will be remade at no charge. Review our frame and custom-lens return policy before ordering.
Choosing your pince nez size and fit
Oxford and spring bridge frames generally fit most people. Astig styles are also generally one size fits most. Their mechanisms accommodate a range of nose shapes, although every person and antique frame is different.
Pince nez can stay comfortably in place when the fit is right. They grip the nose rather than resting on the ears. A well-fitting pair should feel secure without excessive pressure. If a pair slips or feels uncomfortable, ask us about the fit before ordering custom lenses.
HARD BRIDGE SIZE GUIDE
These are general size groups, rather than a guarantee of fit. Nose shape matters as well as the bridge measurement, and your regular glasses measurements alone do not establish pince nez fit. Use the existing bridge-size filter and contact us with the product link if you would like help choosing.
Frame colors, cases and finishing details
Explore gold, silver, tortoise and black pince nez using the original color filter. Color describes appearance; check the individual listing for material details. A gold-tone frame is not necessarily solid gold.
We can include a case upon request. Some listings include a chain or cord; these are not included with every pair. Check the individual photographs and description, and contact us about accessory availability for the frame you choose.
Our pince nez are original antiques, rather than newly manufactured reproductions. Some are unused antique stock and others are previously worn; review the condition and photographs of each individual pair.
Pince nez glasses: common questions
What are pince nez glasses?
Pince nez are eyeglasses without temple arms. They stay in place by gripping the nose. The French name means “pinch nose,” and the style is closely associated with late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century eyewear.
Can you make prescription pince nez glasses?
Yes. Choose an antique frame and select Add Custom Lenses on its product page. Reading, single vision, bifocal and progressive options are available, with additional lens choices including blue-light filtering and Transitions or photochromic lenses. Confirm suitability for your chosen frame and prescription if you are unsure.
Do pince nez frames already come with usable lenses?
Most frames are sold without lenses. Any existing lenses may contain an old prescription. Check the individual product listing or ask us about the pair you choose; new custom lenses are an additional purchase.
Which pince nez styles are one size fits most?
Oxford, spring bridge and Astig types are generally one size fits most. For hard bridge pince nez, below 20 mm is generally considered small, 20–25 mm medium, and 26 mm and up large. These are general guidelines; nose shape also affects fit.
Can I buy the frame without prescription lenses?
Yes. Order the frame alone if you want to check the fit first, collect the frame, or use your own optician for lens fitting.
Can you still buy pince nez glasses today?
Yes. The Vintage Optical Shop sells genuine antique pince nez glasses online. These are original antique frames rather than newly manufactured reproductions, and you can add modern prescription lenses when ordering.
Do you sell pince nez glasses with a chain?
Some individual listings include a chain or cord. Check the product title, photographs and description for that particular pair; a chain or cord is not included with every frame. We can include a case upon request.
How do pince nez glasses stay on?
Pince nez stay in place by gripping the nose instead of using arms behind the ears. The bridge and nose-contact mechanism provide the grip. Oxford, spring bridge and Astig types are generally one size fits most; hard bridge frames need closer attention to bridge size.
Are pince nez glasses comfortable to wear?
Pince nez can stay comfortably in place when the fit is right. A well-fitting pair should feel secure without excessive pressure. If you are unsure about a style or bridge measurement, ask us about the pair you are considering before ordering custom lenses.
