Vintage Cazal Sunglasses: The Story Behind the Frames

Cazal was founded in 1975 in Passau, Germany. The name comes from its designer, Cari Zalloni: CA from Cari and ZAL from Zalloni. His frames were large, geometric and unlike anything else in optical shops at the time.

From Germany to New York

In the 1980s Cazal frames were adopted by the early hip-hop scene in New York, where the big black and gold models became a status symbol. The model 607 is the best known of them.

What makes a vintage Cazal

Frames marked Made in West Germany date from before German reunification in 1990.
Bold shapes, layered acetate and gold-plated metal details.
Model and colour codes printed inside the arm.

What to check

Look for cracks around the hinges and bridge, check that the plating is intact, and confirm the markings are crisp. Many vintage Cazals were sold as optical frames, so sun lenses may have been fitted later.