Daylight robbery: the world’s most expensive sunglasses

August 1, 2023 Drew Jones

Ever lose a pair of sunnies? Almost everyone has. But imagine the anguish of losing a pair that cost NZ$655,000. That’s how much you’ll need to fork out if you like your UV protection housed in 60g of 24k gold and 51 cut diamonds and bearing the Chopard name. While lavish materials represent some of the value in such top-tier shades, the perceived status conferred by the brand name accounts for the rest. Two of the world’s top 10 most expensive pairs (according to Luxatic magazine; see box) come from the luxury car brands Maybach and Bentley. Interestingly, for less than either of list’s top two pairs of sunglasses, you could buy an actual Bentley W12 Speed Convertible.

 

Dolce & Gabbana's DG2027B sunglasses (see list below)

 

 

Should you not want to drop the equivalent of a new-build two-bedroom townhouse in Papanui on a pair of sunnies, however, you could save money – and weight – by going second-hand. A pair of John Lennon’s shades went for $293,650 at a 2019 auction and a chrome-and-plastic pair of Elvis Presley’s (his initials rendered in the bridge) fetched $256,710 at auction a year earlier. This month, Sotheby’s is auctioning a pair of the late Freddie Mercury’s aviator-style sunnies, for a much more affordable estimated $4,000 to $8,000.

 

 

The antique emerald Gate of Paradise spectacles, which inspired Shiels’ Emerald and Tiffany’s sunnies

 

 

At number three on the top-10 list, Australian jeweller Shiels said its $320,989 emerald-lensed sunglasses were inspired by the antique Mughal sunglasses which failed to achieve their estimated $3m to $5m value at a 2021 Sotheby’s auction. Shiels said it took five years to source the lenses and a further three months to shape them. However, when musician Pharrell Williams wore a strikingly similar custom pair of Tiffany & Co’s bejewelled sunglasses at a 2022 Paris fashion show, India’s News18 and fashion critic Diet Sabya accused the jeweller of cultural appropriation.

 

Pharrell Williams and his controversial custom Tiffany & Co sunglasses (Instagram)

 

 

Despite these eyewatering price tags, it seems there are plenty of people happy to part with the money. According to Million Insights’ 2022 market report, the US luxury eyewear market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% between 2021 and 2028 – putting pricey spectacles and sunglasses ahead of Statista’s 3.4% CAGR estimate for the global luxury market as a whole over the same period. It’s probably safe to say that the people supporting that growth are not the sort who are likely to leave their sunnies at the checkout in Countdown!

 

The world’s most expensive sunnies, according to Luxatic magazine (in NZ$)

 

1. Chopard De Rigo Vision – $655,280

2. Dolce & Gabbana DG2027B – $615,671

3. Shiels Jewellers Emerald – $320,989

4. Cartier Panthère – $255,186

5. CliC Gold 18 Carat Gold Sport – $120,370

6. Luxuriator Style 23 Canary Diamond – $104,321

7. Maybach The Diplomat I – $96,297

8. Bulgari Flora – $94,692

9. Gold and Wood 253 Diamond – $88,272

10. Bentley Platinum – $72,665

 

Maybach The Diplomat I, in 18k white gold. Credit: Maybach Eyewear