Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Plated Cartier Vendome Eyeglasses
Eyewear - Luxury Optical Frames · Classic Yellow Gold with a rich, high-karat saturation.
Purity: Heavy Gold Electroplate/Plaque; typically 18K or 22K finish over a base metal (Monel or Stainless Steel). It is not solid gold.
Type
Eyewear - Luxury Optical Frames
Purity
Heavy Gold Electroplate/Plaque; typically 18K or 22K finish over a base metal (Monel or Stainless Steel). It is not solid gold.
Gold Type
Classic Yellow Gold with a rich, high-karat saturation.
Weight
25-30 grams including lenses; the gold content itself is a thin cladding measured in microns (typically 20-30 microns).
Description
A pinnacle of 20th-century luxury eyewear, these Cartier optical frames feature a classic aviator-inspired 'Vendome' silhouette with a brilliant yellow gold plating. The design balances industrial precision with jewelry-grade finishing, including the iconic C-decor hinges and elegant tortoiseshell terminal tips. They represent the era when eyewear became a high-status jewelry accessory.
Key Features
Signature 'C' decor at the lug/hinge, serial number on the underside of the bridge for authentication, and distinctive tortoiseshell ear pieces.
Color & Finish
High-polished yellow gold finish on the main hardware; temples transition to a tortoiseshell (acetate/zyl) ear tip with a warm brown patina.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Cartier branding on bridge or inner temples, often accompanied by a 'C' logo on nose pads and serial numbers; 'Paris' and 'Made in France' indicators.
Dimensions Estimate
Frame width 135-140mm; Eye size 51-53mm; Bridge 18mm; Temple length 135-140mm.
Gemstones & Inlays
No gemstones; features signature 'C' de Cartier hardware hinges and tortoiseshell acetate temple tips.
Clasp & Closure
Precision spring-loaded or standard screw-barrel hinges; high-quality mechanical movement with micro-screws.
Chain & Links
Slim, linear metal temples with reinforced rectangular cross-sections; nose pad arms are adjustable and integrate screw-in pads.
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-assembled in France; high-precision milling of temple arms, high-micron plating thickness, and seamless integration of metal-to-plastic components.
Authentication Indicators
Cartier serial numbers on the bridge, 'Made in France' stamp on the inner temple, and the weight/balance characteristic of heavy high-quality plating versus cheap counterfeit alloys.
Origin & Maker
Cartier, Paris, France. Manufactured in the historical Cartier Lunettes workshop.
Era & Period
Vintage 1980s-1990s; characterized by the 'Bold Gold' luxury eyewear movement popularized by French fashion houses.
Age Estimate
Circa 1985–1995 based on the Vendome/Santos design language and hinge construction.
Cultural Significance
A status symbol in 1980s executive and hip-hop culture; represented the height of Parisian 'Pret-a-Porter' luxury accessories.
Condition Notes
Good Vintage condition; some visible oxidation on the nose pads and minor surface scratches on the gold plating typical of age. Lenses show light wear.
Value Estimate
$400 - $850 USD on the secondary market depending on the integrity of the gold plating and presence of original packaging.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with micro-fiber cloths and specialized lens cleaner; avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the plating is thin or scratched; professional temple adjustment recommended.
Similar Items
Fred Force 10 Eyeglasses, Vintage Ray-Ban Signet, Cartier Santos de Cartier frames.
Interesting Facts
Cartier 'Frames' from this era were produced to the same quality standards as their jewelry, utilizing heavy gold plating thicknesses that far exceed modern 'fast fashion' standards.