Vintage Serengeti Sunglasses

The eyewear brand Serengeti was initially developed by Corning Glass Works, the famous glass maker based in Corning, NY. Vintage Serengeti sunglasses feature the patented Spectral Control System, an advanced Corning "smart lens" photochromatic technology enabling the lenses to dynamically adjust to varying light variations along with high-definition contrast, color enhancement, polarization, and glare reduction.

 

Click to see the original 1998 Serengeti Sunglasses Dealer Catalogue!

 

The most famous of all Serengeti lenses are the Serengeti Vermilion 7000SS lenses made by Corning Optics of Corning glass fame during their ownership of the Serengeti brand. During the 80s-90s Corning Optics developed the Vermilion lens, an expensive production process with many layers. Vermilion lenses have amazing optical clarity and contrast and are considered by many eyewear professionals to be one of the best ever made. The most desired of the Vermilion lenses were the 7000SS lenses which included extra layering oriented horizontally in both the upper and lower 30% of each lens - this orientation gave extra filtering from bright sun above and reflection from snow or water from below. Serengeti Vermilion 7000SS lenses were known as the first all weather, high performance sunglasses for skiing, sailing, and extreme exposure conditions.

 

The 7000SS lens is chemically strengthened, scratch resistant, ground and polished glass lenses that cut infrared and over 99% of ultraviolet rays. They use the Spectral Control filters to sharpen images for extraordinary visibility and eye comfort in all daylight and weather conditions, and they provide extra high contrast in low, flat light, haze, rain, or snow. In bright conditions, the photochromatic lenses darken for superb glare protection, vision, and comfort while significantly reducing eye fatigue. Unfortunately, Serengeti Eyewear was sold in 2000 to a sunglass conglomerate headed by lead brand Bolle. Within a few years around 2003 the new owners decided to discontinue the Vermilion because it was just too expensive and complicated of a production process to meet Bolle's profitability goals. As such these business decisions caused the end of beloved Vermilion lenses., and existing vintage Serengeti sunglasses with Vermilion lenses have since become a very coveted commodity.

 

The Serengeti Drivers series sunglasses featured Corning glass lenses to enhance vision regardless of weather conditions and designed for the often rapidly changing light conditions of the road. Serengeti 555NM lenses on vintage Serengetis are specially engineered to maximize transmission of green and yellow in low light conditions. Vintage Serengeti Strata lenses utilize spectral control filters and photochromatic properties along with the most optically correct polarizing film. Serengeti Sedona lenses are high contrast rose colored lenses that enable superior image definition, while Serengeti Polarmax lenses are ultra-lightweight, polycarbonate lenses with advanced polarization.

 

Serengeti Kilimanjaro Species sunglasses were a specialty line of top of the line sportsman sunglasses c late 1980s - early 1990s produced in only small quantities but very much in high demand today. Serengeti Kilimanjaro sportsman sunglasses were "engineered for outdoor use" and "offer superior quality frames and high contrast lenses." Kilimanjaro Species frames are "hand made from custom materials and temples are reinforced with metal cores for strength." All vintage Serengeti sunglasses that have original Corning glass lenses provide unsurpassed visual acuity through optical technology that is molecularly engineered into the glass itself and thus does not wear out or wear off. The Serengeti brand was later acquired and is now owned by Bushnell Corporation.

 

Click to see early Serengeti Sunglasses and Corning Optics Advertising!

 

You can see our entire selection of vintage Serengeti sunglasses for sale in our Vintage Serengeti sunglasses Photo Gallery or use our award winning website search below. You can also find vintage Serengeti sunglasses accessories including catalogues, pins, cases, marketing promotions, croakies, hats, and more. Thanks for visiting and shopping at the Vintage Sunglasses Shop, the world's largest vintage sunglasses store online since 1998.

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