Last summer, the sky aligned for something special.
When we released the Original Pilot Blue Moon Limited Edition, it wasn’t just another colorway. It was the start of a new tradition—one that honored our role in space exploration while giving collectors something rare, meaningful, and built to last. The response was immediate. The Original Pilot Blue Moon sold out in days, with fans snapping up pairs before launch and collectors hunting them down the moment they disappeared.
Now, the series continues with a new lunar phenomenon—and a new collector’s piece.
Introducing the Original Pilot Blood Moon Limited Edition, arriving March 2026.
A Series for Collectors, Built on History
American Optical’s connection to the moon is more than symbolic. The Original Pilot was the first pair of sunglasses worn on the moon, part of the equipment that accompanied astronauts during the earliest days of human spaceflight.
Photo: NASA
The Moon Series celebrates that legacy through limited-edition Original Pilots inspired by rare lunar events. Each release features:
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A unique finish
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An exclusive lens color inspired by lunar phenomena
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Serialized temples
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Strictly limited production
Only a small number of each edition is made, turning every release into a collectible moment in AO history.
From Blue Moon to Blood Moon
Last year’s Blue Moon Limited Edition set the tone for the series. Finished in deep blue tones that echoed the rare “once in a blue moon” phenomenon, the release struck a chord with longtime AO fans and new collectors alike.
The Blood Moon Limited Edition carries that same spirit forward—but with a very different personality.
| Blood Moon |
Blue Moon |
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Inspired by the total lunar eclipse of March 2026 |
Inspired by the rare blue moon event |
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Deep, dramatic red lens |
Deep Blue SunFlash Lenses |
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Matte armor black “eclipse” finish |
Silver, aged antique frames |
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Limited to just 999 serialized pairs |
First release in the Moon Series, sold out within days of launch |
Where Blue Moon felt cool, rare, and celestial, Blood Moon is darker, more intense, and steeped in the mystery of an eclipse.
The Blood Moon: A Rare Moment, Captured in a Frame
A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when Earth’s shadow turns the moon a deep red. It’s a rare and powerful sight—one that has inspired stories, reflection, and wonder for centuries.
The Blood Moon Original Pilot channels that phenomenon through its design:
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Matte Armor Black Velvet frame inspired by the darkened sky during an eclipse
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Deep Wine AOLite™ SunVogue lenses that echo the deep red hue of a blood moon
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Serialized bayonet temples marking each pair as a true limited edition
Each pair is handcrafted in the USA using premium global components and packaged with special-edition materials and an authenticity card.
Only 999 pairs will be made.
A Series That Looks Forward by Looking Up
The Moon Series is designed to do more than celebrate the past. It’s about creating a community of collectors—people who look forward to each new release and build their own story with every pair.
Each edition:
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Showcases distinctive finishes and lens colors
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Gives collectors something truly limited and meaningful
If Blue Moon was the beginning, Blood Moon is the next phase in the orbit.
Coming Soon
The Original Pilot Blood Moon Limited Edition launches in March 2026, timed to the total lunar eclipse on March 2–3.
Only 999 pairs will be released. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Keep your eyes on the sky—and on aoeyewear.com—for the official drop. Sign up for our email newsletter to get them first.