Jim Jannard, the famed founder of Oakley, has hinted has his next project on social media for the last year or so. And after his last project, RED revolutionized the film industry with the highest quality cameras ever seen, people have been speculating what could be next.
And now we finally have the answer – Jim has made his triumphant return to eyewear with M-Experiment Sunglasses.
Keep reading as we cover everything to know about M-Experiment, including their starting lineup of sunglasses and what could be next.
Table of contents
What is M-Experiment?
M-Experiment is the name of Jim Jannard’s newest eyewear brand. After selling Oakley to Luxottica in 2007, Jim took some time off to pursue his other project, RED. But now he’s back and ready to disrupt the eyewear market once again with M-Experiment.
Jim started the brand with his son Jamin and has assembled a team of designers, engineers, and innovators to make sure his vision comes to life. M-Experiment is focused on using the latest technology and materials to produce eyewear that rivals Luxottica, Oakley, and just about every other brand out there.
Now let’s talk about the actual sunglasses.
M-Experiment Sunglasses Materials & Technology
Similar to Oakley, Jim Jannard is creating all new proprietary materials and technology to form M-Experiment sunglasses including M Carbon, Atomic 13, Thermo Carbon, and Atomic 14. Here’s what we know about each material and the technology in these sunglasses:
Materials
M Carbon is semitransparent polyamide proprietary frame material that provides superior heat resistance and durability, in addition to exceptional strength and crack resistance.
Thermo Carbon is created from submicroscopic polymer chains creating an extremely clear material, while still being durable and scratch-resistant.
Atomic 13 is a carefully selected lightweight blend of aluminum used in these sunglasses. It provides toughness, lightness, and strength to the frames.
Atomic 14 is a combination of two distinct polymers to create a non-slip grip material similar to Oakley’s Unobtanium.
Technology
Along with all new materials, Jim has also created all new technologies designed to optimize M-experiment eyewear.
Lens Geometry – The lenses in the M-Experiment sunglasses have been designed using advanced AI technology to create a precise 3-axis optical correction. This is paired with custom blended optics and materials for optimal clarity, reduced internal haze, and enhanced eye protection from impact.
Plasmachromatic – Plasmachromatic coatings are a multi-layered combination of materials, specially formulated to precisely reflect light and reduce glare and eye strain.
Eye Fence – Eye Fence lenses are specially designed with Thermo Carbon, a submicroscopic polymer material that is both extremely clear and highly durable. This impact-resistant lens technology provides superior protection from flying debris, UV rays, and other hazards.
Res+ – This of the M-Experiment sunglasses utilizes ultra-definition optics to reduce distortion and provide an expansive field of view for a heightened optical experience. Overall, Jim’s M-Experiment sunglasses have revolutionized eyewear with their advanced materials, technologies, and lens geometry features. They offer superior protection from UV rays and flying debris while providing the best possible viewing experience.
Initial Models and Release
On July 5th, 2023, M-Experiment officially launched 3 initial pairs of sunglasses, the Business, Pleasure, and Gigawatt, all available in multiple colors. Each pair has its own distinct look and technology embedded in its design.
The Business pair offers a modern, sleek look with its metal frame and Res+ lenses. The Pleasure features a classic style with Eye Fence lenses and an adjustable nose bridge for ultimate comfort. Finally, the Gigawatt is the most advanced of the three pairs, featuring Plasmachromatic coatings to reduce glare and increase clarity.
Here’s a more detailed look at each frame:
Business
“Anything but another day in the office” is how M-Experiment describes their refined Business design. What you’ll notice most about this frame is the integrated “M” logo in the earstems that uses negative space for a unique look. Overall, this is a laid-back frame that can be worn from work to a wedding.
Description:
- Available in 9 colorways at launch
- Res+: Ultra-definition optical clarity reduces distortion while offering a wider field of view.
- Eye Fence: Impact resistance for maximum eye protection.
- M Carbon: Proprietary frame material providing superior heat resistance and durability.
- Atomic 13 die-cast M Icon with Cerakote® finish.
Specifications:
- Lens Geometry: 4-Base
- Lens Height: 37 mm
- Lens Width: 52 mm
- Frame Width: 144 mm
- Temple Length: 137 mm
- Weight: 31.3 g
- Rx-Able: 4-Base frame with the most options for Rx at your local optician.
Pleasure
The slogan “Knowing it takes a little pain to get there” continues the play on words in each of the M-Experiment frames. This easy-going frame features the same M frame logo built into the earstems that stand out against your face.
Description:
- Available in 9 colorways at launch
- Plasmachromatic: Precision coatings reflect light and reduce glare and eye strain.
- Res+: Ultra-definition optical clarity reduces distortion while offering a wider field of view.
- Eye Fence: Impact resistance for maximum eye protection.
- M Carbon: Proprietary frame material providing superior heat resistance and durability.
- Atomic 13 die-cast M Icon with Cerakote® finish.
Specifications:
- Lens Geometry: 6-Base
- Lens Height: 40 mm
- Lens Width: 53 mm
- Frame Width: 148 mm
- Temple Length: 134 mm
- Weight: 38.3 g
- Rx-Adaptable: 6-Base frames may have less options for Rx than 4-Base, at your local optician.
Gigawatt
This sports-focused pair is built for high performance and may prove to be a real contender against power-house frames like the Oakley Flak Jacket. Described as “The alternating current in a world gone mad with sameness”, this pair is clearly bringing out the “Mad Scientist” in Jim Jannard.
Featuring a dual-lens design, the Gigawatt has easily replaceable lenses and is made of a total of 27 pieces. It has a 6-Base lens geometry, higher than the 4-Base found in other M-Experiment frames. With an impressive frame width of 148mm and unique colorways, this frame will be sure to turn heads!
Description:
- Available in 7 colorways at launch
- Res+: Ultra-definition optical clarity reduces distortion while offering a wider field of view.
- Eye Fence: Impact resistance for maximum eye protection.
- Dual Chamber Infusion Technology: Multi-stage mold process strengthening the chassis in and around the hinge.
- Lens Clutch: Quick release system for rapid lens changes.
- 3-Way Adjustable Nose Piece: Adjustable designed system for different nose sizes and comfort.
- Slics: Maximum comfort, non-slip grip ear socks.
- M Carbon: Proprietary frame material providing superior heat resistance and durability.
Specifications:
- Lens Geometry: 9-Base
- Lens Height: 42 mm
- Lens Width: 65 mm
- Frame Width: 143.3 mm
- Temple Length: 136 mm
- Weight: 33.26 g
M-Experiment Lenses
Along with redesigning all new frames, M-Experiment also applied their technology-first approach to lenses. Currently, M-Experiment offers 4 categories of lenses (and replacement lenses), Standard, Polarized, Plasmachromatic, and Plasmachromatic Polarized. Each of these lenses features a unique composition, special filters, or coatings to provide the best optics available. Standard lenses feature a proprietary diamond cut process that provides ultra-definition clarity and reduced distortion.
- Standard Lenses – Made of durable Thermo Carbon and featuring Res+ technology, currently standard lenses are offered in Gray and Sepia colors
- Polarized Lenses – An added high-performance Polarized coating blocks 99.9% of reflective glare while providing all the benefits of standard lenses.
- Plasmachromatic Lenses – A precision coating that reflects light, reducing glare and eye strain for an optimal viewing experience.
- Plasmachromatic Polarized Lenses – The most advanced M-Experiment lens, combines all of the benefits of Standard, Polarized and Plasmachromatic technology for a maximum reduction in glare and harmful UV rays.
Our Initial Impressions and Public Response
Based on what we’ve seen so far, we’re excited to see Jim Jannard at the helm of an eyewear company again. He is a pioneer in the eyewear industry, and some of the most radical designs and innovations came from his time at the head of Oakley. We’re hoping to see more Mad Scientist-era technology coming out of M-Experiment.
From an initial launch perspective, the brand appears to be a hit, selling out of most frames in the first few days. We love the stylish, laid-back look of the Business and Pleasure, but it’s the Gigawatt that really gets us going. Chalked full of innovation, we can’t wait to see what else Jannard has coming up his sleeve.
Overall, the M-Experiment line of sunglasses is a solid debut from a team that’s no stranger to revolutionizing the eyewear industry. We’re looking forward to seeing how they develop and progress in the near future.
Where to Buy M-Experiment Sunglasses?
You can buy all of the M-Experiment models directly through their website (linked here).
While availability varies based on the model, we expect the brand to restock pretty quickly to capitalize on its initial success.
Bottom Line
The M-Experiment eyewear collection is a great debut from Jim Jannard and his team. They have created stylish, innovative frames that are already in demand due to their combination of technology, performance, and style. We’re looking forward to what’s next for M-Experiment.
