It had to happen, custom 3D glasses branded for a specific movie, Disney’s upcoming “Tron: Legacy.”
Southern California-based eyewear and sports brand Oakley announced today a special edition of 3D eyewear called the Tron Limited Edition 3D Gascan for $150 each beginning in November at select Sunglass Hut and Oakley Stores. But don’t look for the name of the movie on the glasses, which feature designs “inspired by” the movie.
The glasses will work in 3D theater systems that use passive polarization such as RealD, which is the majority of theaters in the U.S. But they will not work with IMAX 3D or in other theaters using systems such as MasterImage, Xpand or Dolby. Oakley is also pursuing partnerships with manufacturers of home 3D systems using passive polarization technology, though most home systems such as Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung currently use active shutter systems that require their own battery-operated glasses that sell for roughly the same price.
Since 3D glasses are not intended to double as ordinary sunglasses outdoors, Oakley will also introduce “Tron”-branded sunglasses as part of the company’s designer Elite Collection of ultra-premium products. With frames embellished with graphics inspired by “Tron,” the special edition of Oakley Elite Pit Boss with HDPolarized lenses feature High Definition Optics and are engineered with ultra-lightweight titanium plates.
“The premiere of “Tron: Legacy” is a great opportunity for us to introduce moviegoers to the unique innovations of Oakley 3D eyewear,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “This film will be an incredible visual experience, and those who view it with Oakley 3D eyewear will get the most out of it by enjoying the clarity and 3D performance of unparalleled design.”
The glasses are accented with graphics relating to the futuristic story that takes place inside a videogame. A custom Microclear bag, also highlighted with graphics inspired by the film, will be included for lens cleaning and eyewear storage.
The Oakley Tron glasses feature “HDO-3D,” a collection of proprietary lens innovations that purport to virtually eliminate the ghosting or “crosstalk” between images that reach each eye from one moment to the next.
Oakley says the lenses feature greater curvature around the eyes which provides a wider field of view. Because even a mild curve can cause visual distortion, Oakley says the glasses feature precise optics that allow optical clarity and that the curvature minimizes distractive glare.
According to Oakley’s announcement, the frame also offer a tighter and more comfortable fit with a proprietary “Three-Point Fit” to retain the lenses in precise optical alignment. The fit optimizes comfort by eliminating the unbalanced pressure points common with ordinary frames, while the lightweight frame makes contact only at the sides of the head and bridge of the nose, and it does not hook the ears like conventional frames made with curved earstems.
“Collaborating with Oakley provided Disney with a great opportunity to interpret the aesthetics and themes of Tron: Legacy into cutting edge eyewear for fans to enjoy,” said Stephen Teglas, vice president and general manager of Fashion & Home North America at Disney Consumer Products.