There’s something timeless about MOSCOT’s Lemtosh frame. Born in the mid-20th century and immortalized by artists, architects, and intellectuals, the Lemtosh carries that vintage-meets-modern charisma that transcends fleeting trends. What truly defines its endurance, however, isn’t just its silhouette — it’s how the eyewear house has re-engineered this classic with transitional lenses, offering wearers the full aesthetic of old-school craft with the adaptive vision of the future.

bequest of the lemtosh

The Lemtosh, one of MOSCOT’s most recognizable frames, was first introduced in the 1950s. Its rounded square lenses, keyhole bridge, and hand-riveted construction have remained nearly unchanged for decades. Each pair carries a sense of New York heritage — evocative of an era when the Lower East Side still hummed with tailors, cobblers, and craftsmen. The Lemtosh became a quiet badge of creative intelligence, worn by icons like Johnny Depp, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

That enduring frame now meets a new kind of intelligence: lenses that change with the light. The Lemtosh with Tint+ transitional lenses merges MOSCOT’s heritage of hand-made design with the adaptive technology of photochromic optics, allowing one pair of glasses to serve both form and function seamlessly.

what are transitional (tint+) lenses?

Transitional or photochromic lenses automatically adjust their tint based on ultraviolet light exposure. Indoors, they remain almost clear, offering a subtle tone that matches the Lemtosh’s vintage profile. Step outdoors, and the lenses darken to shield your eyes from bright sunlight — an effect driven by molecules within the lens that react to UV rays.

MOSCOT’s take on the transitional lens — branded as Tint+ — elevates this classic concept with fashion-forward hues. Instead of the standard grey or brown transitions found in prescription eyewear, MOSCOT offers tones like BLUE+, AMBER+, ROSE+, and GREEN+. Each shade transitions between light and dark versions of its color palette, making the Lemtosh not only a pair of glasses but also a dynamic statement piece that adapts in real time.

craft meets chemistry

Behind the Lemtosh Tint+ lens lies a fusion of craftsmanship and chemistry. The lenses are crafted using high-quality photochromic materials that are embedded — not coated — into the lens matrix. This means the transition is smoother, the fade time faster, and the durability much higher than traditional transitional lenses.

Each Tint+ variation is engineered for optimal balance:

• BLUE+ transitions from a transparent ice-blue hue indoors to a rich, denim-like navy in sunlight.

• AMBER+ warms up from golden tea to a deep honey brown, perfect for classicists.

• ROSE+ drifts from pale blush to mauve, evoking vintage color photography.

• GREEN+ channels the timeless tint of early Persol lenses, shifting from moss to forest green.

Beyond color, the lenses feature UV400 protection, blocking 100% of UVA and UVB rays, and an anti-reflective coating that preserves optical clarity whether you’re reading indoors or navigating bright city streets.

style

One of the most compelling aspects of MOSCOT’s transitional Lemtosh is its ability to travel seamlessly between worlds — just like its wearer. Indoors, the frame reads as intelligent and understated; outdoors, it transforms into a pair of tailored sunglasses with an effortlessly cinematic tone.

This adaptability speaks to a broader lifestyle philosophy. The modern creative — photographer, writer, designer, musician — no longer separates work from leisure, office from street, or morning coffee from rooftop sunset. The Lemtosh with transitional lenses becomes an extension of that flow: functional in the studio, fashionable in daylight, and always ready to adapt.

hand-made

Every Lemtosh frame is handcrafted using Italian acetate, cut, polished, and riveted by artisans in New York and Italy. The process can involve more than 130 steps, with each frame undergoing meticulous hand-polishing to achieve its signature gloss. The hinges are five-barrel construction, ensuring long-term durability and that satisfying click that MOSCOT aficionados love.

When paired with Tint+ lenses, this craftsmanship becomes almost poetic — old-world materials meeting 21st-century optics. It’s a bridge between analog and digital, where heritage design and modern science converge on your face.

wear

Those who have tried the transitional Lemtosh often describe the experience as liberating. You no longer need to switch between prescription glasses and sunglasses. The change is subtle yet practical: step out of a café into sunlight, and your lenses darken within seconds; return indoors, and they lighten gradually without ever feeling too tinted.

This fluid transformation doesn’t just protect your eyes — it complements your outfit. Whether you wear the Tortoise, Black Crystal, or Matte Blonde frame, the Tint+ lenses add a tonal character that feels bespoke. They evoke the aesthetics of 1960s cinema and modern color theory all at once.

sustainable

MOSCOT’s production ethos values longevity — both in product and practice. Instead of disposable fashion cycles, the Lemtosh represents slow craftsmanship. The lenses’ photochromic technology is UV-resistant and does not degrade quickly, meaning your pair maintains its transition performance for years. Replacement lenses are also available, allowing you to refresh your frame without discarding it.

Even the packaging follows a sustainable approach, with recyclable materials and the brand’s signature yellow case designed for durability.

culture of moscot

Wearing a pair of Lemtosh transitional lenses isn’t just about optics — it’s about identity. MOSCOT has spent over 100 years shaping visual culture, literally. From the family-run shop on Orchard Street to mission with musicians and designers worldwide, MOSCOT embodies the authentic New York creative spirit.

Today, the Lemtosh with Tint+ lenses captures that spirit for a generation that values fluidity: day and night, work and leisure, vintage and innovation. It stands as an accessory for thinkers, makers, and wanderers — those who move between environments and ideas with ease.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MOSCOT (@moscotnyc)

a classic evolved

The MOSCOT Lemtosh with transitional lenses proves that innovation doesn’t always mean reinvention. Sometimes, it means letting tradition evolve naturally — letting chemistry, light, and design converse in a single frame.

With Tint+ lenses, MOSCOT has refined its most iconic silhouette into something both practical and poetic. A pair of glasses that see the world the way you do: always changing, always adapting, and always rooted in timeless style.

No comments yet.