A word of warning to anyone with Swissflex eyewear, always be extremely careful when wiping them clean with the lens cloth.
Let me start off by saying that I'm pretty careful with my things, especially my glasses which I need to see anything close up. While I was cleaning the lenses with the bright red lens cloth provided, my specs suddenly came apart in my hands - the bridge had just completely snapped in half!
My Swissflex specs are now over a year old so the warranty had run out and that meant paying £49 for a replacement bridge. Now when I got them, these spectacles including lightweight lenses with all the coatings cost me about £450 (approximately $800 at the time) so I expected them to be a bit more durable than this.
As they say a picture tells a thousand words, you can see in the photograph below how sturdy the 'high-tech polymer' described on the Swissflex website really is...
So be warned that either the design of them or the material used means that bridge is likely to snap within a couple of years of normal usage. Well, that's been my experience anyway.
Was considering getting one of these... but the price... is it worth it if it doesn't last?
ReplyDeleteI owned my pair of SwissFlex glasses for over 12 years until just losing them! They were great and I am devastated that I lost them. Never had a problem with them. I can no longer find them in Atlanta, Georgia.
DeleteI have had my Swissflex glasses break 4 times in two years. I'm in the US and here we have to find a local retailer for this brand (not an easy feat), take them to their shop and wait ... and wait ... and wait for them to be returned from the only lab in the country that can do repairs on them. When my bridge snapped in two, it took six weeks to get them back and they arrived with a bridge that was a completely different color. These are cool glasses, but they are way too fragile, too much trouble and expense for what you get. Do yourself a favor and find another brand that your optician can repair within a reasonable time and for a reasonable fee.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that although expensive at least my replacement bridge only took a couple of days, although for some reason it came back glued in place at a jaunty angle.
DeleteHello, my name is Cynthia Allen and I own Carytown Optical in Richmond Virginia. I am a Swissflex dealer. I'd like to comment on the problems spoken about here on this blog and perhaps help a little. First and foremost if any swissflex dealer ever tell you that it takes more than 5 to 7 business days to have your eyewear returned then leave their premises immediately. If they dare suggest that they take weeks , five six weeks, there is only one reason why and that is that they are not paying their bills to Swissflex or Italee ( the distributor and lab in the U.S. The Italee lab is the most efficient in the world. Since having Swissflex in my shoppe I not only have the Swissflex frames fabricated at their lab, Italee but I also send other non Swissflex frames there because they are so so accurate and efficient. Most often I am surprising my customers with a call days before they expect them . For a bridge only my customers eyeglasses would be overnighted there, one day of repair and over nighted back.
DeleteSecondly if the lenses are breaking or cracking it may be that your optician did not use the advised material of Trivex or High Index. Instead they may have used a less expensive material, poly carbonate. Poly has more of a tendency to splinter around the drill holes. Never the less, it is true that they are warranted against damage for only 90 days. In the three years that I've been a dealer damage to swissflex frames usually have a story behind them such as "I sat on them, my husband sat on them' I rolled over on them" and that's because, most often , that they aren't seen. They are almost invisible. Rarely are they damaged if you wear them daily. The damage is done while not wearing them. I have customers bring me their swissflex frames that they've owned for 10 years and I have new lenses put into them. The material itself has a long life. I do use the 2.5 eyephorics of swissflex more then the original swissflex design and perhaps this is also why I've had far fewer problems than what I'm reading about here.
They are THE MOST COMFORTABLE eyeglasses made. I love the comfort cable temples they are the best....no adjusting!!
Cynthia , Carytown Optical....I hope this helps
I love my Swissflex. There is nothing like them. So comfortable. And they disappear on your face. I have had 3 pair in 13 years. I ran over the first pair with my car. And I got bored with the second pair and wanted something new. People ask me about them all the time. My repairs never take more than few days. I highly recommend.
Deletehave a pair of swissflex 2.5 had them 2yeays now and have had to have the nose piece replaced 3 times and every time it broke while I was holding it and cleaninthe lenses. The tiny little bridge piece cost 80 dollars for a cheap piece of plastic. Space age my ass they are cheap and they break easy case closed. Nobody should ever but them or they should make the replaceable part very cheap since they break easily.
DeleteTotally agree with comments from Cynthia Allen. I've had my glasses for so many years that I can't remember when I bought them. Never ever a problem and they are as comfortable as possible. They disappear and I forget they are on. Just one time, after years of wearing, the nosepiece broke. I went back, they sent them out, within a week they were back with that and the hinges replaced. I'd call that normal wear. No one ever ever ever touches these glasses and they need to be washed carefully, not in hot water, and they last forever. The best!
DeleteHonestly Swissflex is the best glasses frame in the world. My child throws it, twists it and does everything a child does and it didn't break. I can't believe that ou broke them when wiping them. I have jad my Swissflex glasses for 5 years!
DeleteI've had my Swissflex for many years. I did have to send one pair out for repair when my dog chewed them. There are no lighter frames made and none as comfortable. Now finding a close dealer in the US stinks and that is the ONLY reason I don't have them now. I still have a pair that are perfectly fine but no dealer close enough to get an updated Rx put in them.
DeleteMine broke at the bridge about a year after I bought them. Took back to were I bought them and they replaced the bridge on the spot. Could have gotten any number of colors for bridge and temple pieces.
ReplyDeleteThat's good, I presume the break in your case must have happened just before the standard years guarantee expired? Swissflex wouldn't replace mine for free because it was over a year since I'd had them. Can you say what happened to cause the bridge to break?
Deletemine broke two times in two years, and it broke on the bridge, after replacement, the new optician has trouble adjust it to fit my eyes. has anyone adjusted their own swissflex frame?
DeleteMy left temple snaps out and I have just sent them back. This is a month after buying them. I purchased them for durability and flexibility, but I would not do that again. I also purchased the sunglass clip-on as mine are transitions. This is the most absurd design I have ever seen. They think it is cool, but there are a pain to put on and get off. I prefer the magnet clip-ons better. You can tell that the person who designed these doesn't use them.
ReplyDeleteI have been wearing a Swissflex for two years with absolutely no problems. They are the lightest and most comfortable glasses I have ever worn. I would recommend them without question.
ReplyDeleteHi, are you near or far sighted?
DeleteI do like mine. I wore them for 18 mo. before needing a prescription change. Changed lenses, bridge, and covers over ear pieces for $300 less than original price. Could lhave also changed shape of lenses but liked mine so much I used the same shape. They are expensive as I use Ziess lenses with progressives and transitions. If these hold up as well as the last pair, will order them again.
ReplyDeleteSame here, I had expensive lenses too and if mine hadn't broken at the bridge and then through the lens I would order them again. However my swissflex always felt too fragile and they broke too easily so I won't be ordering them again.
DeleteOn my third pair. 3rd pair about a month old accidently dropped on floor cracked bridge pice where it meets the lens. $500.00 each time repaired or replaced! No more they are great just not very durable for that kind of $. :(
ReplyDeleteI've had mine for seven years, and having worn glasses for almost 50years can say that these are the most comfortable glasses ever. I don't treat them with kid gloves either- they've been dropped on hard surfaces many times, and sat on a few times and still fit perfectly. Worth the extra.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds quite likely that at some point you'll drop them again, and in my experience even a short drop of about 2ft onto a soft surface is enough to break them. When this happens to you perhaps you'll be less enamoured with them and hopefully learn to foster a less gung-ho attitude to their care to save yourself another expensive repair bill.
DeleteThe plastic from which they're constructed seems robust enough until it snaps under a tiny amount of pressure, then you'll realise they are perhaps NOT worth the extra after all.
OK, I have to say I face the same problem... My frameless swissflex is broken at the bridge when my baby drop it on the bed....which is really a soft bed...
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you had the same issue as me, maybe swissflex should be making their bridge sections from slightly thicker plastic than the stems...
DeleteLoL, For those marketing and promoting through this blog, you should read his situation first. The first hint is that you should have seen that he/she used £, if Italee is servicing in £'s then I would think it would mosdef take over a week ;p. They certainly do, do a good job and quality work but most labs in the US can do the same work.
ReplyDeleteFor those buying and spending this amount of money on the frame, just remember it is plastic and especially on a 3pc mount, it can put a lot of stress at the bridge because frankly speaking it is thin at an area that takes a lot of stress, and most often it breaks at the hinge on plastic frames, even with metal cores. You are buying this frame purely for style and comfort, and not for it's structural integrity. If they tell you otherwise then ask for a refund. You can wiki the material and it's very good material, but at the end of the day it is plastic and has characters of plastic and has a tendency to break. Swissflex made these frames to be different and to stand out in the eyewear industry to charge you for it's stylish design. I would consider balancing function and design if your trying to seek value.
Otherwise ask the shop to contact the distributer and request that the frame be serviced due to the nature of the defect. Obviously they can constantly tell you there is nothing that can be done because of the warranty issue. If it gets to that point ask for the distributer information and contact them directly and seek a resolution from them. They may be able to make exception, especially if they stand behind the product they distribute. The last resort is to contact the designer:
Phone: +41 81 286 60 90
Fax: +41 81 286 60 99
Mail: info[at]swissflex-eyewear.com
good luck and I hope they truly service your issue due to the fact that your buying the quality and when the quality is being questioned then they should make exceptions.
I got in touch with SwissFlex UK at the time the bridge snapped, I suppose they didn't want to 'stand behind the product they distribute' because they just referred me back to the optician I bought them from. Effectively washing their hands of their fault.
DeleteI love the comfort of the glasses, however a month after I purchased them I felt the left lens was loose...I took them back and they determined one lens was thickest Han the other caused the funky hitch when removing them...I have the half rim style and that lens fell out yesterday...I have mailed them back to Ben Taylor Optical in Ft. Worth Texas....so fingers crossed they will be returned to me quickly and in perfect condition or it's back to Chanel frames for me...
ReplyDeleteI have transition lenses in mine and therefore need clipons for driving sunglasses. The clipon is horrible. A normal clipon uses magnets that can be be clipped on effortlessly. These require that you take off the glasses, have the tiny clip in hand (I am blind at this point without my glasses) and then put the sunglasses onto a molded nose piece. Then you take them off the same way and typically drop them into the crack between the seats. This is what happened to me and now they are scratched. It will cost $200 to replace the clipon!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese glasses are cool but very impractical. My nose bridge just broke and I am not happy about buying a replacement. I am switching to a different frame.
I have had my swissflex glasses for about 5 or 6 years and I really love them. In the past 2 years on a few occasions one of the endpieces came off but I have been able to put them back together again. Something just happened (not sure how....) and now one side is askew (very out of line). I need to get them repaired. I live in Montreal, Canada. Does anyone know where or how I can get them repaired? The optician from whom I purchased them no longer carries swissflex.
ReplyDeleteinstead of those difficult clip-ons just pick up a pair of "over the glasses" sunglasses. They sell them at the drugstore...20 bucks. get a few pair . then you don't need clipons. cheap and work great in the car or when you need more coverage.
ReplyDeleteHas anybody had problems with cloudiness? I've had mine for 2 yrs. but from the beginning, I would have to constantly clean with a cloth and the special spray-on cleaner. But they have kept getting cloudier and cloudier. The salesperson said that she thought the problem was due to heat damaging the anti-reflective. I don't even cook. Try to protect from sun as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI have had my glassed for over 10 years without any problems, I love them!
ReplyDeleteI've had my swissflex rimless for 4 years now and love how they dont feel like I have glasses on at all. On the other hand, I had the hinges break off twice now and the store I bought my glasses from will charge me $50 dollars for the repair and shipping and it takes them 1-2 weeks. I'm on the fence of how you have to ship them to the manufacturer rather then having spare parts for the store to purchase so that they can make the proper adjustments or repairs on the spot. A pain in my Arse.
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ReplyDeleteHad cataract surgery 4 years ago and got Swissflex rimless frames with bifocal lenses and all the add-ons - transition, etc. About a year ago, the nose piece became disconnected from the bridge. Went to my dispensing optometrist. The tech went into the back and returned about 5 minutes later with a new nose piece attached firmly - no charge. I'm a chef and frequently get my lenses steamed and often spend several minutes in a walk-in freezer such that the lenses get a lot of frost on them. Never any problem. Been wearing glasses for 70+ years and these are the best, most comfortable glasses I have ever had - only 5 grams!
ReplyDeleteGreat page. Mine just snapped at the bridge yesterday. It was a fatigue fracture - the bridge material clearly is too brittle for what it was designed for. Disappointing...
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that, I agree, the plastic is not fit for purpose. Are you able to post a photo?
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DeletePut me into the SWISSFLEX FAN CLUB! I love mine! I've had them for 3 years, but have only worn them occasionally as I prefer my contacts. That is changing as I age and my eyes are getting fussier and fussier about multifocal contacts.
ReplyDeleteI love how the Swissflex is NON ADJUSTABLE (short of the temple "ear boots" that you can snap in place longer or shorter), the nose pads are always right on and fit great because they are non-adjustable but so comfortable. With the optional "temple boots" that curve around your ears, they never budge one bit down your nose, even if you are skiing or canoeing or anything! They stay put, but are comfortable and as close to invisible as eyeglasses are going to get! They use to only come in black (YECH!), but they make them in clear now, so the WHOLE of the eyeglasses is clear and fades away on the face.
I think giving up contacts and being full time in the Swissflex is for me. They have been durable enough for me--and as Cynthia Allen mentioned earlier, the lens work by Italee (the US SwissFlex distributor) does phenomenal work--these are the best progressive lenses I have had--and I've tried everything from Costco and Zenni to high end optical shops. And the Italee lens work/fitting is bar none the best; combined with the SwissFlex frames, these are just awesome progressive eyeglasses. YES, they cost a fortune, more than almost all other options, but the quality and high optical quality is worth in my book if you can afford it. My $120 Zenni high index progressives are okay, as are the $200 progressives from Costco--bargains for the money, but they can't come close to the vision and comfort I have gotten from my Swissflex frames and Italee lenses (I have Varilux Physio Enhanced in 1.67)
I also love my Silhouette hingeless/rimless Titans--but they have adjustable nose pads that can get out of whack, and the titanium is a bit more shiny and noticeable than the Swissflex in clear plastic. And I think the Swissflex are a little more comfortable (less pinching).
My only complaint is what others have already mentioned--I have the optional polarized sunglass clips for my Swissflex's, and they are a PITA to live with--they fit tight and nice, but it takes a dedicated effort to snap them in place onto the bridge, and I now (after reading the breaking bridge issues) am concerned that using them will make a nose bridge break more likely...!
This post is bullshit. Swissflex glasses are badass. I just got T-boned in which my glasses flew off my face, out of the passenger window, and onto the road behind my car. A firefighter recovered them and they didn't have a single problem besides a tiny nick in the top width section, which is so unnoticeable that I'm not even going to bother asking for a replacement even though they're still under warranty.
ReplyDeleteI've had these bad boys since 2011 and the only thing I've had a problem with is the saddeback nose clip. It broke once, but I really can't complain seeing as how I was cycling everywhere I went back then and thus I rigorously cleaned them with soap and water when I got home every day (which, by the way, is the best and cheapest way to clean these if you have the metal-free rimless with a scratch coating). Oh, and the retailer replaced it FOR FREE. Hell, he even gave me 3 extras when I told him I was moving out of state.
These glasses are beyond worth it. I wear them every day, they've been through hell and still look pristine.
But hey, that's just me. If you want to be cheap and buy a set of POS glasses that'll crap out on you and constantly need adjusting by a fitter, be my guest. You're an idiot in doing so.
Between your rants you are basically saying that your nose bridge broke whilst cleaning them too, even though it sounds like you were cleaning them in an idiotic fashion.
DeleteI wonder how different your attitude would be if, instead of giving you a bunch of spares - you were actually charged $100 for a single replacement bridge.
No, Andy. I'm talking about the part that clips onto the bridge that sits on your nose. That's what broke on my glasses.
DeleteIf my method of cleaning is really so idiotic, why aren't mine broken like yours? Just sayin. You can spend all day smearing your glasses with those tiny microfiber rags or you can do what I do and they look brand new afterwards. Using the cloth forces you to use pressure to clean, which may have caused your bridge to break. My method uses little pressure and gets better results. I'm not being an ass, I'm trying to be helpful. You know how much eyeglass cleaner is. It's a scam. Mild soap or saline solution combined with a paper towel works wonders and doesn't smear anything.
But don't take my word for it. I've only been doing it for 3.5 years.
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ReplyDeleteI've had my Swissflex Eyephonics for 8 years and the only thing I've replaced is the plastic bridge that sits on your nose. I also wash them with soap and water daily, then dry them with a bath towel. Paper towels or tissue are abrasive and the microfiber with or without the sprays grind the dirt into the lens. I've been wearing glasses for 44 years and these are the best I've ever had. They're light, comfortable, attractive, and are high quality lenses (I have progressives). I will wear these forever.
ReplyDeleteyeah the lenses are great but the frames esecially the nose piece are crap. Mine has broken three times already while cleaning and cost eighty dollars to replace that tiny little piece of plastic. What a rip off. Will be getting different frames.
DeleteHi all
ReplyDeleteAll these comments were very helpful since I have my Swissflex bridge also snapped. The retailer who did my eyeglasses 3 years ago apparently closed down. The eyeglass places I checked for repairs were giving me this rolling eye, like aw, Swissflex, we don’t carry this…. and usually try to push me away! I love my glasses and don’t want just because one stupid small plastic for a bridge broke, to throw them away!
I live in New York- I would appreciate any advice for how I can get them repaired!
Thanks a lot!
What part of NY... if you are in Westchester county, you can go to Irvington NY at Squints on Main street. They can send them out if they can't fix them. I've had great luck with them and have owned my swissflex for about 6 years.
DeleteThe arm just broke on my pair when my 9 month old son decided to headbbutt me instead of giving me a hug. Thanks lad
ReplyDeleteAfter taping my broken arm-hinge back together, I just used this DIY hack and it totally worked. I used clear heat-shrink tubing from Radio Shack:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fM5lS34hSs
Good luck!
I just used this clever DIY hack to repair my broken arm hinge and it totally worked:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fM5lS34hSs
I used clear heat-shrink tubing from Radio Shack
Anyone have any problems with the rubber part that goes around your ear disconnecting and the glue melting? Had mine 7 years with no problems and now this is happening. Very sad and strange.
ReplyDeleteI just broke the bridge on my SwissFlex glasses yesterday. This will be the third time I'll have had the optician send them back for repairs in the 40 months I've owned them. They are great looking and lightweight, but something is wrong with the durability factor. I am not hard on things and yesterday's break at the bridge occurred when I dropped the glasses onto (of all things) a carpeted floor. I don't mind spending money on something good, but this has now gotten under my skin--big time.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know where to find SwissFlex suppliers in Ventura county? I need to replace my 5 year old SwissFlex glasses and despite two broken nose bridges I love them. You just have to take care when cleaning.
ReplyDeleteSame thing happened to me. Broke while cleaning. I'm so careful with them. I paid $600 from just looking eyewear in aventura. The product is crap. Had them less than 3 years. $99 to repair them!! Unbelievable!!
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm leaving at Seattle, WA.
ReplyDeleteI just broke nose pad, but I can't find where I can buy nose pad.
somebody know, where I can order it?
Thanks,
I bought mine at Virginia Mason. Did you find a place to have them repaired? My side piece that goes over my ear is coming out. I think the little nub has worn away or something. I'm ordering shrink tubing from amazon.com and may try that. I'm also thinking of using a tiny drop of super glue off the end of a toothpick, to recreate the tiny nub that the temple clip holds on to.
DeleteI sure wish I had read all of these reviews before I bought mine - 2 pair! Expensive, and yes, mine have been back for repair 4 times and had to replace the nose pads 4 times. My Gainesville Florida dealer is horrible and did a real sales job on me and these glasses have been a constant pain to own. I'll never buy these again, and never go back to my local dealer.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the lightness and near-invisibility of my Swissflex rimless frames, but have had two different frames break at the bridge, one soft nose-piece break near the hole and another fall off and go down the drain. Shameful to charge top dollar for frames with critical flaws like the bridge material! None of mine were dropped or hit, always carried in a case, and cleaned carefully.
ReplyDeleteI've had my glasses (2.5 Clearly Essential) about a year and a half, and two of its three pieces have broken--both after the one-year warranty had expired. First, the nose bridge snapped. I had to pay $60 to get it replaced. Now the hinge on the left ear piece broke and it would cost $75 for the optometrist to replace. (I have attached two photos.) I've NEVER had any pieces of any prior glasses break that I recall. I'm an older adult and not abusive to my glasses. If I had known how fragile these frames are, I would never have bought them.
ReplyDeleteUnless I can find a reasonably priced replacement part, I'm going to superglue the ear piece in place and live with it until I get new glasses.
Swissflex is a good concept...but they are way overprice and there service is poor. The glasses are delicate and they break easily, especially the nose piece. The nose piece breaks from normal wear and tear every 6 months. And trying to get replacement is difficult and expensive. A small plastic nose piece for $20-30.....RIDICULOUS. I would highly suggest you save your money and buy glasses from a reputable manufacturer what deliver quality customer service and prices its products fairly. Goodbye Swissflex....I hope others realize how much a rip off your glasses really are!
ReplyDeleteI bought the 2.5 Swissflex because they are light and different, but after only a few weeks and with very tender care, the glasses broke at the left hinge. Got it pushed back together, but it needs to go back to Italee. Will see how long it takes for repairs and how durable they are afterwards. These are the clearest and lightest glasses I have ever had, but they have got to stay together or I will put them away and got back to my Oakley's.
ReplyDeleteOverpriced fraudulent Junk. First a lens popped out. I brought them back, the assistant showed me how to pop it back in. Which I have become very good at, because I cannot even touch them without the lenses popping out. Then one of the fishing lines that are supposed to hold the lenses in broke, and I was so happy because I was within warranty and I could get real glasses. Instead, the doctor glued the fishing line back in and sent me on my way. That's how he lost me as a customer; he's the one who talked me into these terrible glasses. Then the nose piece started popping off, and has now cracked in two.
ReplyDeleteSwissflex should develop reading glasses for corpses who have been dead ten or more years; that's the soonest I would buy from them again.
This is bunk! Robert you're either posting in the wrong section or you don't have 2.5 Eyephoric frames, as there is not fish line on the 2.5's.
DeleteI saw someone wearing Swissflex and she loved them and I did too. Anyone know if anyone in the greater Philadelphia area sells Swissflex?
ReplyDeleteI met someone wearing Swissflex glasses with different colors - she loves them and so did I. Does anyone know of any Swissflex dealers in the greater Philadelphia area? Do they sell them online?
ReplyDeleteHello.I have to agree with the others here. They are very good frames but unfortunately for some reason they break easily. I had three pairs and all of them broke within a year without abuse.
ReplyDeleteHow can I get a missing piece of my swissflex eyeglasses?
ReplyDeleteI have a broken one-piece nosepad for which I can't seem to find a replacement. can anyone help? I LOVE these frames. I've had the lens pop out a lot but know how to pop back in. most comfortable glasses I've ever had and been wearing glasses since the 4th grade!
ReplyDeleteI've had my swissflex for 6 years. I just can't seem to find the best alternative. Although it's quite expensive and very delicate but I've tried many glasses in the past and no other brand can ever replace it in terms of comfort and style, in my own opinion. The best I've had so
ReplyDeletefar. I get too many compliments but is it very delicate. The thought of spending another $600 out of pocket would be ridiculous but I might give it another try.
The broken nose piece problem needs some clarification. First, NEVER HOLD ANY PAIR OF GLASSES BY THE NOSE PIECE.
ReplyDeleteStabilize your glasses by holding the lens. Spray your cleaner, place your cleaning cloth on the lens, grasp the lens and using a rubbing / wiping motion gently clean your lenses. Wipe so the motion is always from top to bottom - bottom to top. (The eye acclimates to up down streaks without much issue, but you will constantly be fighting balance adjustment if the streak is on the horizontal plane.
I've owned two pairs of 2.5 eyephorics for around 10 years. In that time I've accidentally placed my hand on them, breaking the nose piece ($30), and had a cabinet door accidentally hit my temple breaking the small shaft at the hinge ($76) other than those two incidents these have been the best glasses I've ever worn. My hobby is rebuilding motorcycles so trust me the Eyephorics are garage tested and have sustained the worst of conditions.
I can't believe a simple drop on a baby's crib or on a carpeted floor is gonna result in a broken nose piece, when I've been slammed in the face, full on, by a motorcycle handlebar that knocked the glasses off my face.
When I'm asked, I demo the strength, resiliency and lightness of my glasses. Most are always impressed.
As for turn around. My glasses were shipped to LA from MPLS the Friday before Christmas (this year it being on Monday) and on Tuesday at lunch I get the phone message I can pick them up. That's a four day turnaround during a major holiday when the country shuts down for 2 days.
Outside of extortion pricing for everything about the 2.5 Eyephoric's I'm pleased with them the entire time I worn these glasses.
I love the lightweight SwissFlex glasses! I don't see the rims as they are clear and can switch the temples when I want a new color. They are so lightweight I can use them for running without having them bounce. I find they last 2-3 years. While expensive, I find the comfort is worth it when the really high cost is averaged over 3 years.
ReplyDeleteNo one seems to have the experience I have had for the last 8 years. There is literally not one week going by but that someone comments on how much they like my glasses. Mine only broke once when I dropped them on a tile floor. If you have to wear glasses, it is worth the extra money and care to have them seen as "really cool". Now only if Idaho had someone who could fit my old frames with a new prescription. Sigh
ReplyDeleteI bought a pair of Swissflex Rimless (clear) glasses (sort of by accident) in 2006. Basically, I went to the eye doctor, saw them, and loved the look. They were quite a bit more expensive than any I ever had before. But then, I never got the compliments before that I got on these. And mine were lineless bifocals and the optics were excellent!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little shocked to hear about all of the problems others have had with Swissflex. I never had any problem with mine, and I handled them relatively roughly (cleaned them with toilet paper, etc.).
One time my wife got mad and smacked them off my face. They flew across the room. When I picked them up the nose piece was missing but the frames were intact. I had moved to a different city so I found an optician who carried Swissflex and he installed a new nose piece (on the spot) for free.
A few years later I took them off one day sitting outside in the grass. And I (stupidly) laid them down on the ground. Later I got up and walked off and left them laying there. When I came back to look for them they had been hit by a lawnmower. Needless to say, that was the end of that pair! And I have been wearing "cheapies" ever since.
Now, a few years later, I really miss those Swissflex glasses. Besides the excellent comfort and appearance, I think the optics were better than anything I have had since. But it is very distressing to read about all of the problems people have with these glasses. Maybe I was just really lucky? At $500+ a pair, the $250 rimless glasses you can get elsewhere (with warranties and solid companies behind them) is pretty tempting.
In my understanding after quite a bit of research, Swissflex and Italee (their American lab and distributor) are parting ways. Not good!
If Swissflex isn't any more durable than that (or the company any more stable than that), it seems to me like some Chinese or Japanese company should jump out there selling "knockoffs" for a fraction of the price. They pretty much have to be pure profit. After all, there isn't 2 bucks worth of plastic in the frames. (And you should be able to tie them in knots without them breaking.)
The bottom line is, if anyone hears of a good alternative to Swissflex/Eyephorics rimless glasses please let me know!
I'VE HAD MINE FOR AROUND 10 YEARS AND STILL LOVE THEM TODAY AS MUCH AS I DID WHEN I GOT THEM. I'VE HAD THE LENSES REPLACED A FEW TIMES DUE TO RX CHANGE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT EITHER.
ReplyDeleteThese glasses were so comfortable i bought 2 pair about 8 yrs ago, i have since had to have the bridges replaced at $90 ea 7 times ( normal wear not dropping them) and have reverted to glueing them. Though that only lasts about 2 weeks at a time. it really is only a $2-$5 part even at $20 you simply clip off the stud and put the new piece in the lens and push a new stud pin through and clip the end off. takes 2-3 minutes. BUT parts are nowhere to be found. Been trying for years to find after market but no luck. Very frustrating and expensive!
ReplyDeleteFound this site while searching online for DIY repair resources. I wore my Swissflex/2.5 Eyephorics for nearly 14 1/2 years until the bridge snapped just like the pictures here. I've put them through a lot of daily use and I've never worn a more impressive pair of glasses. Yes they are hard to get serviced and impossible to find parts but I have to say they are as durable as any eyeglass frame.
ReplyDeleteHi, my bridge size is 19, does any one know what is the equivalent in Swissflex? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've had my eyephorics for almost exactly two years and have had two repairs. As of two days ago, the bridge snapped in two. I still have delicate metal frames that are 25 years old and simply completely intact except for the finish wearing to bare metal. It's simply unacceptable that frames should every need repair or replacement for anything other reason than misadventure. I'll be replacing what I have with something more durable and advising against anyone purchasing frames from Swissflex.
ReplyDeleteMine are very comfortable
ReplyDeleteHowever they broke after 5 months without any misuse whatsoever
Also the nosepiece frequently comes off when cleaning the lenses and is easily broken or lost when it falls off
So the frames are nice but very flimsy!!
Mine are very comfortable
ReplyDeleteHowever they broke after 5 months without any misuse whatsoever
Also the nosepiece frequently comes off when cleaning the lenses and is easily broken or lost when it falls off
So the frames are nice but very flimsy!!
I'm on my fourth or fifth pair of Swissflex. You barely know that you're wearing glasses. I've worn my current pair for almost 10 years. I've replaced the bridge one or two times and the temple/arm once but generally find them durable. I agree that it's expensive and inconvenient to get them repaired but I've found it to be worth it. Yesterday, the temple snapped off again (my fault), so I'm in need of another repair. Unfortunately, it's hard to find anywhere in the Bay Area that still sells this brand. Last time, the shop where I originally bought them made an exception and sent them to the lab, even though they no longer had a relationship with Swissflex. But I don't expect to be so lucky this time because it's more than a year later. Does anyone know if it's possible to send glasses directly to the lab. I tried to contact them but haven't heard back. I've been looking at other frames but can't imagine wearing any other brand of glasses.
ReplyDeleteI have had my swiss flex rimless style for over 10years not. I just recently needed a new bridge as mine popped out of one of the lenses. really hoping I can replace just the bridge. Wa hoping to find info on this online and can only find info on the nose pad. Now those break more frequently than I'd expect.
ReplyDeleteI like these glasses but would not recommend buying them online. When mine broke, go-optic.com would not honor the warranty. I then had a hard time getting them repaired. I live in Maryland but wound up sending the glasses to San Juan, Puerto Rico for repair.
ReplyDeleteI sent mine to Puerto Rico too Came back with the wrong prescription and we’re down there 2 1/2 months. Bad experience.
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