You might not remember those days that much, but Johnny Depp had been rocking the wickedest frames in eyewear history since the very start of his brilliant rise up the Hollywood stardom ladder. Back in 2001, in his crime movie Blow, he made quite an appearance in a groovy pair of the Cool-Ray Fast Back 420 sunglasses, portraying George Jung, a real-life drug trafficker from the 70s. Equally vintage and bold as his character, these shades surely shaped one of Depp’s early career-defining roles, adding a daring polish to his acting talent.
Originally issued around the same period the movie depicts, the Cool-Ray Fast Back 420 boasts a truly standout construction crafted entirely from aluminum. Hence the raw, rebellious vibe they channel, giving off a unique, slightly tarnished luster that seems to say, ‘I mean business, but I don’t mind having some fun doing it.’ With their oversized, squared-off teardrop lenses for a rugged, commanding presence, the shades can be easily imagined worn by rock’n’roll stars, jet-setting moguls, Vegas high rollers, and street outlaws with a knack for brutal fashion back in the day.
What really makes these Cool-Ray Fast Back 420 sunglasses stick with you, though, is the unique triple slit bridge. Essentially doubling up on the iconic aviator bridge design, this one detail really locks in the aesthetic of the frames, engraving itself as a bold visual signature you can spot in an instant—even from a fleeting glimpse in a crowd, or in Johnny Depp’s case, a bustling Chicago airport. Oh yes, we all remember his epic movie entrance in that all-white, smoothbruise power look!
With the Fast Back 420 long out of production and the Cool-Ray brand itself now absorbed into Polaroid’s broader industry, Johnny Depp’s Blow shades are a hard bird to chase these days. If you’re lucky, you can spot an original pair in vintage eyewear stores, and they still surface through occasional resellers and private collectors, with the price hovering around $80 to $100. There are also cheaper Polaroid copies, offering the iconic Johnny Depp Blow design for as low as $20. You’re welcome to join the hunt for the original Fast Back 420 model or surf Polaroid’s current lineup for similar styles: https://www.eyeons.com/brands/polaroid/
Frame Specifications:
Model: Fast Back 420
Color: Metallic Silver
Frame Size: 55-20-140
Frame Type: Full Rim
Frame Material: Aluminum
Frame Color: Metallic Silver
Frame Shape: Triple Slit Aviator
Lens Color: Brown
Type: Sunglasses
Gender: Unisex
Style: Casual
Manufacturer: Cool-Ray (Polaroid)
Can’t get enough of Johnny Depp’s eyewear brilliance? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more to come! Stay with us to lay your finger on every single one of his iconic pairs!