S.T. Dupont is a name most commonly associated with luxury lighters, pens and leather goods, but the French maison also has a fascinating - and much less documented - history in eyewear.
Over the years at Retro Spectacle, we have handled an extensive collection of original S.T. Dupont glasses and sunglasses, including Austrian-made Estede frame, the later Avance collection and Japanese-made examples. Many retain original manufacturer markings, individual numbers, authenticity cards and distinctive model references that help piece together their history.
Our connection with the brand became particularly special when we supplied an original pair of S.T. Dupont D002 sunglasses to the costume department for the F1 movie, where they were worn by Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes. We worked with costume designer Julian Day, giving us an unusual first-hand connection to one of the most recognisable S.T. Dupont frames to appear on screen.
But who actually made S.T. Dupont eyewear, when did production begin, and why were frames manufactured in Austria, Germany and later Japan?
Using S.T. Dupont's own company records alongside examples from our vintage eyewear archive, this is the story of S.T Dupont glasses and sunglasses.
Who is S.T. Dupont?
S.T. Dupont was founded in Paris in 1872 by Simon Tissot Dupont, who opened his first leather goods workshop at the age of 25. The company initially became known for finely made travel trunks and luxury leather goods before Simon's sons, Lucien and André, took over the business in 1919.
Production moved to the family's home town of Faverges is Haute-Savoie in 1924. Over the following decades, S.T. Dupont developed the craftmanship for which the house became famous, particularly metalwork, goldsmithing and lacquer.
Its first luxury lighter appeared in 1941, followed by writing instruments in 1973. This heritage in precious metals, lacquer and intricate finishing would later translate particularly well into eyewear.
When Did S.T. Dupont Start Making Glasses?
The early history of S.T. Dupont eyewear is surprisingly poorly documented, but the company's own records provide an important date.
In its 2002-03 annual report, S.T. Dupont states that a licensing agreement for the production of eyewear was signed in 1997.
This is significant because many S.T. Dupont frames on the vintage market are described as dating from the 1980s. Where a frame can be positively identified as Estede-made, that dating should be treated with caution.
Estede was founded in Austria in 1991 by Albrecht F. Rosenauer, specialising in luxury eyewear.By the end of the 1990s, S.T. Dupont's own financial records explicitly identify Estede as its eyewear licensee.
This gives us a much firmer starting point for dating the Estede-produced S.T. Dupont eyewear that survives today.
S.T. Dupont and Estede
Estede became one of the most important manufacturers in S.T. Dupont's eyewear history.
The Austrian company specialised in luxury eyewear using precious metals, enamel and highly detailed finishing techniques. The approach is clearly visible in the S.T. Dupont frames it produced.
Examples in our collection include frames marked Made in Austria, individually numbered models and pieces still accompanied by their original red S.T. Dupont authenticity cards.
Many feature gold-plated metalwork, lacquer or enamel decoration and jewellery-like detailing – characteristics that feel entirely in keeping with S.T. Dupont's wider design language.
The S.T. Dupont D-Series
Some of the most distinctive Estede-era designs carry early D-series references such as the D002, D003, D004, D005 and D009.
These frames frequently combine finely worked metal with gold-plated finished, lacquer, enamel or acetate detailing. The same model can also appear in several colour references and sizes, creating different interpretations of the underlying design.
Although these low-numbered D-series frames are often advertised online as 1980s eyewear, we believe a 1990s date is more appropriate for Estede-made examples based on documented history of the manufacturer and S.T. Dupont's licensing records.
We have not found reliable documentation giving exact launch dates for models such as the D002, D004 or D009, so we prefer not to assign an individual production years without supporting evidence.
Perhaps the best-known of these designs today is the S.T Dupont D002, a large gold-plated aviator and one of the most distinctive frames from this period.
S.T. Dupont Avance: A More Contemporary Line
By the end of the 1990s, the range had expanded.
S.T. Dupont's 1999-2000 annual report records that Estede had introduced a second eyewear line called Avance, described by the company as more contemporary.
Avance appears to have sat alongside the existing S.T. Dupont range rather than replacing it. Surviving examples carry the S.T. Dupont and Avance branding, while some are also marked Estede, Made in Germany and 23KT gold plated.
Stylistically, Avance often feels cleaner and more restrained than the more decorative D-series, with slimmer metal construction and a more modern overall appearance.
The collection is also a useful reminder that Estede-produced S.T. Dupont eyewear was not made exclusively in Austria; examples from the Avance range were manufactured in Germany.
From Estede to Japan
The Estede relationship came to an end in 2008, when S.T. Dupont terminated the eyewear license following Estede's bankruptcy.
S.T. Dupont subsequently identified the Aoyama Group as its new eyewear licensee, marking the beginning of a new Japanese-produced generation of S.T. Dupont frames.
One example in the Retro Spectacle archive is the S.T. Dupont 7028U, a Japanese-made pair of sunglasses with a large black aviator-style frame and polarised lenses.
Its cleaner, more contemporary design is noticeably different from the elaborate gold-plated D-series of the Estede period and illustrates how S.T. Dupont eyewear evolved under the late license.
Other DP70-series frames also survive with Made in Japan markings, helping establish a clear distinction between this later generation and much of the European-made eyewear that preceded it.
Rather than representing one single period or manufacturer, S.T. Dupont eyewear therefore spans several distinct chapters – and understanding those differences is an important part of identifying and collecting the frames today.
Brad Pitt, the S.T. Dupont D002 and F1
The S.T. Dupont D002 gained an unexpected new audience when it appeared in the F1 movie, worn by Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes.
Retro Spectacle supplied an original D002 to the film's costume department and worked with costume designed Julian Day during the production. The sunglasses were worn by Pitt at Silverstone and appeared again in later scenes.
For us, this was particularly interesting because the D002 was already an obscure piece of vintage S.T. Dupont eyewear. Its appearance in a major film suddenly placed a relatively little-known model in front of a global audience decades after it was originally produced.
The frame itself suits the character well: a large gold aviator with a confident but understated 1990s luxury feel. Rather than looking like a modern reproduction of vintage eyewear, it has the proportions, detailing and finish of an original S.T. Dupont design from the period.
It is also a good example of why genuine vintage eyewear continues to be used in film and television. The right original frame can add something that is difficult to recreate with a newly made design – not just the look of an earlier period, but the character and detail of the original object itself.
We have covered the full story separately in our guide to Brad Pitt's S.T. Dupont sunglasses in F1, including more detail on the frame and how it came to be used in the production.
Credit: Retro Spectacle – S.T Dupont D002Shop Original Vintage S.T Dupont Eyewear
Retro Spectacle has built one of the strongest specialist selections of original vintage S.T. Dupont glasses and sunglasses available.
Our collection includes rare D-series models, Estede-made frames, Avance designs and later Japanese-made examples, with many pieces retaining original markings, serial numbers, packaging or authenticity cards.
Every frame is individually researched and checked before being listed, with particular attention paid to model references, manufacturer markings, condition and provenance. Where the history of a frame cannot be confirmed, we would rather say so than repeat an unverified date or description.
As qualified opticians specialising in vintage eyewear, we can also advise on suitability and prescription lens options, helping make these original frames wearable rather than simply collectable.
For anyone searching for genuine vintage S.T Dupont glasses or sunglasses, our collection brings together rare models from several different periods in one place.
S.T. Dupont Eyewear FAQ
When did S.T. Dupont start making glasses & sunglasses?
S.T. Dupont's company records state that an eyewear production licensing agreement was signed in 1997.
Who made vintage S.T. Dupont glasses & sunglasses?
Many vintage S.T. Dupont frames were produced by Austrian luxury eyewear manufacturer Estede. Estede also produced the later Avance collection.
Where were S.T. Dupont glasses & sunglasses made?
Depending on the period and collection, S.T. Dupont eyewear was manufactured in Austria, Germany and Japan.
What S.T. Dupont sunglasses did Brad Pitt wear in F1?
Brad Pitt wore S.T. Dupont D002 sunglasses as Sonny Hayes in F1. Retro Spectacle suppled an original D002 to the film's costume department.
How can you identify genuine vintage S.T. Dupont glasses & sunglasses?
Look for details such as the S.T. Dupont branding, model reference, colour code, country of manufacture, manufacturer markings and quality materials. Original packaging or authenticity cards can provide additional provenance.
Where can I buy original vintage S.T. Dupont glasses and sunglasses?
Retro Spectacle specialises in original vintage S.T. Dupont glasses and sunglasses, including rare D-series, Estede and Avance models.