The transparent
manufactory workshop

»We just can't keep our hands off the acetate.«

Come into our hallowed halls. We are glad that you are here! Have you ever wondered how glasses are actually made? This much we can reveal at this point: the devil is in the detail. But more about that in a moment, because we're taking you on a tour of our transparent manufactory workshop.

For the complex production of our glasses, precise machine use and careful manual work are essential. Our spectacle makers therefore not only need a steady hand and a sharp eye, but also a great deal of sensitivity and experience. 

FUNK Brillenmanufaktur - Brillen Handmade in Germany

In the following, we present some of the total of up to 170 work steps that are required before a finished pair of glasses can leave our manufactory.

The right format matters

At the beginning of every acetate frame is the cutting of our raw material to the appropriate format. In addition, the optical course for further processing is set here. If we do not work with self-laminated or vintage plates from our own warehouse, then we get our cotton acetate mainly from a traditional company in Lombardy.

All a matter of form

Both the inner and outer shape of the glasses are created on the good old CNC milling machine. How good that the robust machine from the heyday of spectacle production in Germany is still running today as if it had never stood still. 

At FUNK we are reviving the craft of spectacle making, so we are particularly pleased to be able to work on the original machines.

The drums are turning and turning and turning ...

Anyone who enters our manufactory is greeted by the steady and tireless noise of our polishing drums. Our glasses go through a total of four grinding and polishing stages, which takes several days on average.

Depending on the granulates, natural oils or pastes, the frames are given a shiny or matt finish in addition to the material compression.

Man vs. machine

High gloss is not enough – which is why the spectacles receive their final polish by hand. And this technique requires every single flick of the wrist to be perfect. Because hand polishing is an art in itself.

During this process, the spectacles are subject to constant quality control. 

Rivet – hit – sunk

A hinge is only as strong as its weakest rivet! That's why we attach particular importance to precise fitting when riveting the middle part and the temples. Even if it seems easy at first glance, it takes a special touch to hit the sweet spot.

Hello, my name is …

At FUNK, spectacles are ot just some numbers. Every model is given a proper name – emperors, kings and ancestors are the inspiration. Who would not like to wear a model called "Ramses" or "Berthold"? Next to the collection, the name as well as the colour and size, the wonderful claim "handmade in Germany" is also printed on the spectacles' temples.

An ideal match

It would be easy to give a 20-minutes talk about the ideal match between front piece and temples. If carried out perfectly, front piece and temples merge into one ideal piece and play an important part in providing the wearer with the usual comfort of FUNK.

Work like meshing gears

Final assembly means that all of the lovingly crafted components are put together into on pair of spectacles. The care during the development and manufacturing processes pays off, when all steps leading to this point work like meshing gears.

FUNK Brillenmanufaktur - Die fertige Brille kann überreicht werden

Who made my glasses?

Find out and get to know here our FUNK eyewear makers. Become an eco fashion activist and be part of the movement!