Few films capture the excess of 1970s and 1980s Las Vegas quite like Martin Scorsese's Casino. Sharp tailoring, bold colours, gold jewellery and statement eyewear all play a part in creating the unmistakable style of the film.
At the centre of it is Robert De Niro as Sam "Ace" Rothstein. His wardrobe changes constantly throughout the film, but one accessory appears again and again: sunglasses.
From oversized acetate frames to tinted aviators, Ace's eyewear has become almost as memorable as his suits. But one frame in particular has become closely associated with the character.
The Frame That Stole the Show
What sunglasses does Robert De Niro wear in Casino?
The most recognisable pair is the Preciosa 940, an oversized Dutch-made frame known in America as the Goliath.
Designed in the 1970s by Hans Borsboon of Frame Holland, the Preciosa 940 is characterised by its oversized square shape, thick acetate construction and imposing proportions. Frame Holland itself confirms that Robert De Niro wore the model in Casino.
It is an eyewear design that suits Ace Rothstein perfectly. The substantial frame, strong brow line and generous lens size have exactly the kind of presence needed alongside the character's extravagant tailoring.
It is an eyewear design that suits Ace Rothstein perfectly. The substantial frame, strong brow line and generous lens size have exactly the kind of presence needed alongside the character's extravagant tailoring.
Frame Holland's history dates back to 1936, and Preciosa remains its principal eyewear brand. The frames are still designed, developed and manufactured at the company's factory in Burgerveen in the Netherlands, with important stages of production and finishing completed by hand.
Credit: @snnetwork8420 - Netflix
Credit: Retro Spectacle
What Other Sunglasses Does Robert De Niro Wear in Casino?
The Preciosa 940 may be Ace Rothstein's most recognisable frame, but it isn't the only pair of sunglasses Robert De Niro wears in Casino.
Throughout the film, Ace switches between different styles to complement his famously elaborate wardrobe. Alongside the oversized Preciosa, he can be seen wearing sporty tortoiseshell aviator-style sunglasses with tinted lenses.
These frames are sometimes identified online as vintage Carrera sunglasses, although the exact model isn't certain. Detailed images from the film appear to show different branding on the temples, and some eyewear research has suggested they may instead be a vintage SunCloud design.
Rather than assigning a definite model where the evidence isn't conclusive, what is clear is that the shape is very different from the Preciosa 940: lighter, more streamlined and with the classic double-bridge aviator silhouette that was so characteristic of the period.
That variety is part of what makes Ace Rothstein's eyewear in Casino so memorable. His sunglasses weren't simply an accessory – they changed with his suits, colours and surroundings, becoming an integral part of the character's extravagant Las Vegas Style.
Credit: Retro Spectacle
The Preciosa 940 in Colour
The black Preciosa 940 may be the version most closely associated with Ace Rothstein's look in Casino, but the distinctive shape works particularly well in colour too.
Having worked directly with Frame Holland for a number of years, we've been fortunate enough to secure several limited-edition Preciosa 940 frames in colours that are far removed from the traditional black and Havana versions.
Among them are a striking blue 940 and the Peacock colourway, which combines green and purple through the oversized acetate frame. These are genuine limited-edition versions of the original Preciosa design rather than reproductions, with only very small numbers available.
As opticians, we can also use the frame as a starting point for something more individual. The Preciosa 940 can be fitted with prescription or non-prescription lenses and customised with different lens colours and tints, allowing the same unmistakable oversized shape to take on a completely different character.
For anyone drawn to the scale and presence of De Niro's sunglasses in Casino, but wanting something less traditional, the Preciosa 940 shows just how versatile this 1970s design can be.
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Casino-Inspired Eyewear: Shop the Look
You don't need the exact Preciosa 940 to take inspiration from Ace Rothstein's eyewear.
Much of the Casino look comes down to proportion and presence: oversized shapes, strong acetate and bold styling that feels unmistakably rooted in the 1970s.
Our Palmer C1 was designed with that same era in mind. Made in polished black acetate, it has a substantial oversized silhouette, keyhole bridge and sculpted sides, giving it plenty of character without attempting to reproduce the Preciosa 940.
The Palmer is available as both glasses and sunglasses, making it easy to take the same bold shape in different directions. Choose clear lenses for a strong everyday optical frame, or opt for tinted sunglass lenses for a look that leans further into the confident styling seen throughout Casino.
Different lens colours can change the personality of the frame again, from classic green graduated lenses to more distinctive blue graduated tints.
For anyone drawn to the scale and confidence of Ace Rothstein's eyewear, the Palmer offers a contemporary way to wear that oversized 1970s-inspired look – whether as glasses or sunglasses.
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Palmer Black Oversized Glasses - A refined square frame with vintage appeal
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Palmer Black Oversized Sunglasses - The same aesthetic in a sun-ready version
Credit: Retro Spectacle
Robert De Niro's Sunglasses in Casino
Robert De Niro's eyewear is an important part of Ace Rothstein's unmistakable style in Casino. Although he wears several different pair throughout the film, the oversized Preciosa 940 Goliath has become the frame most closely associated with the character.
Its bold proportions, substantial acetate construction and distinctly 1970s design make it every bit ad memorable today as it was on screen.
Whether you're looking for the original Preciosa 940 or simply taking inspiration from Ace Rothstein's oversized eyewear, Casino remains one of the cinema's great references for statement sunglasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sunglasses does Robert De Niro wear in Casino?
Robert De Niro's most recognisable sunglasses in Casino are the Preciosa 940, an oversized acetate frame known in America as the Goliath. The Dutch manufacturer Frame Holland has confirmed that De Niro wore the frame in the film.
Is the Preciosa 940 the same as the Goliath?
Yes. The Preciosa 940 is known as the Goliath in the United States. It was designed by Hans Borsboom for Dutch eyewear manufacturer Frame Holland and became particularly well known after being worn by Robert De Niro in Casino.
Does Robert de Niro wear more than one pair of sunglasses in Casino?
Yes. Robert De Niro wears several different styles as Ace Rothstein, including the oversized Preciosa 940 and tinted aviator-style sunglasses. Some of the other frames have been attributed to different manufacturers online, but not every model has been conclusively identified.
Can you still buy the sunglasses Robert De Niro wore in Casino?
Yes. The Preciosa 940 is still produced by Frame Holland, including the classic oversized design associated with Casino. Vintage and limited-edition versions can also occasionally be found.
What style of sunglasses does Ace Rothstein Wear?
Ace Rothstein's eyewear is predominantly oversized and strongly influenced by 1970s and early 1980s styling, with substantial acetate frames, aviator shapes and tinted lenses appearing throughout the film.
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