April 4, 2025
Latest Eyewear Fashion Trends

Under the Radar, Over the Top: Johnny Depp’s Cool-Ray Fast Back 420 Shades from Blow

3 min read February 12, 2025 Jennifer Sikorski
johnny depp shades

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.

depp cool-ray sunglasses
cool-ray aviator shades

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.

cool-ray fact back 420 glasses
aviator sunglasses cool-ray

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!

depp aviator shades
johnny sunglasses blow movie

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!