Randolph is an iconic U.S brand that has protected the eyes of military personnel, become an essential part of aviation culture, and continued to manufacture in the same location with the same machines for decades…
Randolph Engineering holds a special place among eyewear icons. Though the brand has not been commercially available for all that long, its roots reach far deeper than most people realize. Born from a modest immigrant journey from Europe to the United States, Randolph carried a clear purpose from the start: to challenge the careless approach that dominated eyewear manufacturing and to remain deeply committed to making its products on American soil. These values transformed Randolph from a simple eyewear company into a symbol of true U.S. craftsmanship. Protecting the eyes of military personnel, becoming an integral part of aviation culture, and maintaining production in the same location with the same machines for decades, the brand continues to redefine passion, durability, and quality.
Birth of an American Dream
The story of Randolph Engineering begins with the survival journey of Jan Waszkiewicz, a young man coming of age under the shadow of the Second World War. On Christmas Eve of 1939, nineteen-year-old Jan and his family fled Nazi-occupied Poland and traveled across Europe to reach France. He soon joined the French Army, was captured in 1940, escaped three months later, and eventually made his way to England. Determined to rejoin the fight, he enlisted in the British Army and later transferred to the Royal Air Force, where he served as a navigator on 32 bomber missions. After the war, he returned to his education and strengthened his technical skills. Captivated by the opportunities the United States promised, Jan settled in Boston. He studied at Northeastern University and worked at major manufacturers such as American Optical and Marine Optical, gaining a thorough understanding of the technical side of eyewear production. But what he observed failed to satisfy him; inadequate machinery, careless production, and wasted potential pushed him to search for a new path. That path took shape in 1972, when he and fellow engineer Stanley Zaleski opened a small workshop in Massachusetts. Their initial goal was to design the precise machinery the industry needed. They soon realized, however, that the real problem was not the machines but the quality of the eyewear being produced. This realization led to a defining approach: “Let’s build our own machines and make our own eyewear on those machines.” This philosophy became the foundation of Randolph’s DNA and continues to guide the brand today.
Transforming U.S. Military Standards
The first major turning point for Randolph came in 1977, when the company signed its first military contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. By 1978, they had begun producing the HGU-4/P military pilot sunglasses. With their low-profile design, outstanding durability, and compatibility with the demands of the jet age, these frames quickly became the standard across several branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Within a decade, Randolph was officially recognized as the Department of Defense’s primary supplier, producing 200,000 pairs of sunglasses for the Navy, Air Force, and Army. This milestone established the brand not only as a manufacturer but as an authority shaping the standards of military eyewear. The changing global climate of the late 1980s and the outbreak of the Gulf War in August 1990 brought new challenges. When the Department of Defense increased its monthly demand for the M40 gas mask optical insert from 10,000 units to 40,000, Randolph’s Massachusetts factory operated around the clock in three shifts. As always, Jan Waszkiewicz stood firmly beside his employees and the country he considered his home. He instilled in the entire company a simple belief: “We have an obligation to this country.” Despite immense pressure from the Department of Defense, Randolph met the demands of this crisis without compromising its production or quality standards.
Global Vision and the Brand Identity
By the late 1990s, following Jan’s retirement, leadership passed to his son, Richard Waszkiewicz. Richard’s priority was to transform Randolph from a strictly military supplier into a global eyewear brand. During this period, the company strengthened its ties with the aviation community while also shaping its cultural identity. One of the leading figures in this transformation was world-renowned aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker. His airshows across the United States, performed under Randolph sponsorship, introduced the brand to millions of Americans. Seeing a charismatic figure like Tucker soaring through the sky in Randolph’s iconic frames left a strong impression and elevated the brand’s visibility. It was a brilliantly executed move that strengthened Randolph’s identity as a brand combining military-grade durability with a sense of athletic freedom. Randolph’s rapid expansion beyond the United States, supplying eyewear to the air forces of Australia, Belgium, Israel, and Jordan, further accelerated this global growth.
Aviation Heritage Meets Modern Design
Today, Randolph’s collections blend military-grade engineering precision with contemporary design. Each model reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of a 200-step production process carried out by hand. The brand’s most iconic style, the HGU-4/P Aviator, represents the evolution of the military pilot frame first designed in 1977. Randolph offers the modern iteration of this classic in 23K gold, white gold, matte chrome, gunmetal, and other premium finishes. A broad range of lens options, multiple frame sizes, and SkyTec™ mineral lenses anchor the design language that defines Randolph. Another signature line, the Concorde, presents a timeless interpretation of the classic tear-drop silhouette. While drawing from aviation aesthetics, the series is designed with a more fashion-forward approach, yet built with the same commitment to lifetime durability. P3 Submariner, originally developed for submarine personnel, stands out as one of the brand’s most authentic expressions of its military heritage. Its round geometry paired with precision-crafted mineral lenses offers a distinct character. Sportsman serves as a more casual, softer-edged interpretation of the military style, while Raptor, with its wraparound design, is engineered for active lifestyles. Randolph also offers a specialized shooting eyewear range under the Ranger series. Falcon, XLW, and Edge frames are preferred by professionals for their wide field of view, lightweight structure, and technically advanced lenses. In the luxury segment, the 23K Gold collections remain among the brand’s most striking achievements. The 50th Anniversary limited-edition capsule in particular celebrates the fusion of aviation heritage, craftsmanship, and exceptional design. Introduced in 2025, the DriveWorks collection marked Randolph’s first dedicated line designed specifically for drivers. Crafted with military-spec frames, the collection reinterprets the Aviator and Concorde for the road. DriveWorks features three ZEISS LightPro® lenses: Redline for enhanced contrast, Le Mans Blue for emphasizing road markings on bright surfaces, and Apex Gray for natural color perception with consistent clarity throughout the day. These lenses elevate both performance and aesthetics, adding a new dimension to the brand’s portfolio.
A Growing Universe of Capsule
In recent years, Randolph’s creative world has expanded significantly through its capsule collaborations. Each project is more than a product release; it is an opportunity to highlight another facet of American history, culture, or craftsmanship. Collaborations with The Brooklyn Circus, Sounder Goods, W’menswear, Alpha Industries, Todd Snyder, Junya Watanabe, and the 2025 Dave Portnoy x Randolph capsule have strengthened this cultural lens, enriching the brand’s design universe with new textures and stories. These projects share common design elements: unique finishes, hand-painted details, distinctive acetate temple tips, limited-edition production codes, and lens colors inspired by the historical context behind each narrative. The collaboration with Junya Watanabe in 2022 reinforced Randolph’s presence on the global fashion stage. Watanabe’s technical precision, minimalist aesthetic, and fusion of traditional and modern elements adapted Randolph frames to a runway-ready language. Clean lines and advanced materials showcased how classic Randolph eyewear could be reimagined within contemporary fashion. The W’menswear x Randolph capsule, introduced in October 2023, was dedicated to the pioneering women of aviation. Drawing inspiration from the trailblazing figures of the Mercury 13 program, the collection embodied courage, technical curiosity, and female leadership. W’menswear’s vintage-meets-military sensibility merged seamlessly with Randolph’s heritage, resulting in a powerful tribute to the early contributions of women in spaceflight. Today, Randolph Engineering remains one of the few brands that still manufactures metal eyewear entirely in its own U.S. factory. The 200-step production process continues to be executed without compromise, and the original soldering machines designed by the founders remain in use. Several members of the founding family are still active within the company. Each Randolph frame carries a lifetime durability promise while continuing to embody the spirit of American aviation culture.
CHRONOLOGY:
1972
Founding of Randolph Engineering by Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski.
1977
First military contract signed with the U.S. Department of Defense.
1978
Start of HGU-4/P pilot eyewear production.
1982
Designation as the Department of Defense’s primary eyewear supplier; production of 200,000 pairs.
1991
Quadrupled production of M40 gas mask optical inserts during the Gulf War.
1997
Recipient of the Massachusetts Product Export Achievement Award.
2000
Expanded offering under the Frame of Choice program for all military branches.
2008
Growth of specialized product lines for law enforcement and security.
2011
Signing of a new 38-million-dollar U.S. military contract.
2022
Launch of the first Todd Snyder collaboration.
2023
Release of the limited-edition 50th Anniversary Collection.
2024
Launch of the Sounder Goods capsule collection.
2025
Introduction of the Brooklyn Circus capsule in February and the Dave Portnoy collaboration in April.
December 2025
