Meet Spectacle 1286 Founder Alan Croft
When it comes to making glasses with high technical specification lenses and frames with spades of effortless style, Alan Croft delivers.
A Dedicated Eye for Detail
In a world increasingly about optics, the founder of Spectacle 1286 has stood the test of time – working as both a lens technician and dispensing optician for over 30 years. The job of making your glasses is worth doing, and in his hands, it's a job worth excelling at. That means the high street hunt is over, and you won't need to compromise on quality when it comes to your eyewear.
Meeting high expectations
Well-chosen frames, technically mastered lenses, carefully assembled with an eye for quality assurance – the glasses he makes for you are built to meet your high expectations. He understands that you don't just wear glasses; they're part of who you are, how you see the world and how the world sees you. He doesn't underestimate what that means.
A FRAME WITH A STORY
Ray-Ban began not on the high street, but in a military brief. In the 1930s, Bausch & Lomb were asked to develop lenses that could cut the intense glare experienced by US pilots flying at altitude.
The result was the Aviator – and the name said everything: Ray-Ban.
The frames soon crossed from function into fashion. Decade by decade – through Hollywood, the music scene, and beyond – they became the cultural fabric. That history is still present in every frame.
That's why Alan chose Ray-Ban as the foundation of Spectacle 1286.
Put some provenance in your glasses
The Spectacle 1286 name pays homage to the year the first pair of spectacles is thought to have been invented. That respect for the craft's historical legacy sharpens his attention to detail and drives a pride in his work that is too often missing from the high street experience. His aim is simple: to help you sidestep the crowds and the compromise.
Your glasses are not an afterthought
Ever had that niggling feeling the glasses you chose were never quite you? That thought has no place in the Spectacle 1286 glazing house. He curates a selection of frames to suit you: your eyesight needs, your face, your style – so you get the best quality without any of the making do.
Your eyes focus how you show up in the world
Qualifying in 1994 with the world's oldest existing optical body – The Most Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers – and holding membership of The Association of British Dispensing Opticians, he brings over three decades of experience to every pair he makes. If you're seeking an elevated look without battling through crowds, set your sights on Spectacle 1286. It's reassurance for you; for Alan, it's his pleasure to serve.
Alan's picks
Thirty years of expertise distilled into a handful of frames. These are the ones Alan would choose for himself.
Women's
Men's
CORE
Essentials
The Spectacle 1286 women's eyeglasses collection brings together elegant styles and contemporary shapes.
Confident shapes, precise fit. The Spectacle 1286 men's eyeglasses collection, paired with lenses crafted to your prescription.
Eyeglasses that have defined modern eyewear, generation after generation. Explore the most popular frames, paired with lenses crafted to match.
Frames built for every day – worn comfortably and standing the test of time. Explore the Essentials Collection at Spectacle 1286.
Alan's advice
Thirty years of experience, distilled into practical guidance on frames, lenses and everything in between.
