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A Numont rimless mounting is a specific and elegant style of eyeglass frame that was very famous in the 1930s and 1940s. It is a type of "semi-rimless" frame. The design holds the lenses in place using a central bridge and two metal arms that run along the top back edge of the lenses.
read more about numont rimless mounting ...The defining feature of a Numont is how the frame holds the lenses. The lenses are attached to the frame at only one point: the inner edge near the nose (the nasal side). A metal arm extends from the bridge and follows the curve of the browline behind the lens. The temple arm connects to the end of this metal bar, not to the lens itself.
In a standard "three-piece" rimless frame, the bridge is drilled into the inside of the lens, and the temple is drilled directly into the outside of the lens. A Numont is different because the outside edge of the lens is completely free. There are no holes or screws on the temple side of the glass. The metal brow bar creates a suspension system that holds the temple arm in place.
It is easy to confuse Numonts with another vintage style called "Rimway." Both have a metal bar behind the lens. The difference is in the attachment points. A Rimway attaches to the lens twice: once at the bridge and once at the temple. A Numont only attaches once at the bridge. This gives the Numont a cleaner, more minimalist look because there is less metal hardware touching the lens.
The Numont design was created to solve a breakage problem. In old three-piece frames, taking glasses off with one hand put huge stress on the lens, often causing it to crack. The Numont's metal top arm absorbs that stress. When you flex the temples, the metal arm bends instead of the glass lens. This made them much more durable than other rimless styles of the time.
A key aesthetic advantage of the Numont design is the "hidden" support bar. Because the metal arm runs behind the top edge of the lens, it is often invisible to people looking at you from the front. This creates the illusion that the lenses are floating or are only attached at the nose, offering the durability of a frame with the delicate, minimalist look of a rimless style.
Yes. A skilled optician can cut modern prescription lenses to fit a vintage Numont chassis. However, the lenses must be drilled and mounted very carefully to match the single attachment point.
Yes, they are usually very lightweight. Because the lenses are only held at one point, they can feel a bit more delicate, but the suspension design absorbs shock well.
Because there is no rim to protect the edge, it is best to use a strong, impact-resistant material like polycarbonate or Trivex. Standard plastic can crack more easily at the drill point.
If you have found a vintage Numont frame that you want to wear, you must find an optician who specializes in vintage eyewear. They can inspect the metal for weakness and ensure the screws are tight. They will also know the specific techniques needed to mount new lenses into this unique, historical suspension system.