Phi by Toulch Rimless
Phi by Toulch Rimless is the first in a series of rimless eyewear concepts built on a fundamentally new mounting architecture. Engineered to simplify and speed up assembly while enhancing durability, Phi is designed with minimalist purity. Founded by optometrists and opticians, Toulch Rimless, formerly known as QED, set out to rethink rimless from the ground up and to address well-known technical issues with many current rimless designs.
Toulch’s patented mounting system eliminates the need for components such as bushings, washers, nuts, or other disposable parts. These parts, which require trimming, cutting, filing, and gluing, are replaced by a reusable precision set screw. Toulch Rimless assembly is simple and intuitive. It takes just seconds. The result is enhanced structural integrity, no loosening, and less wasted time on after-sales servicing.
Phi’s distinctive drill geometry, reminiscent of the Greek letter phi, represents functional minimalism and is at the heart of its mechanics. Built from a single layer of laser-cut sheet metal, the bridge and end pieces of Phi have clean lines and a unique, uncompromised aesthetic.
“Our objective was to develop a mounting system that is quick and easy to assemble or disassemble and technically enhances rimless,” said the founders, “for both the professional who dispenses it and the wearer who experiences it.”
The inventor recalls, “One time I spent 45 minutes assembling a luxury rimless frame, and it was perfect. An Rx adaptation issue meant a remake, requiring an additional hour and 15 minutes to disassemble and rebuild with already-cut, and now slightly bent decorative bolts. This profit-eating, frustrating experience inspired me to rethink how rimless is engineered.”
This practical, performance-driven innovation has already earned industry recognition, with Phi receiving the Silmo d’Or Award for Technological Innovation in Eyewear, a distinction that underscores the system’s technical advancement and relevance.
“We invented this technology to respect the craft of opticians and labs,” the founders added. “Every element of the system is intended to save time, reduce frustration, and deliver consistent, reliable results. It’s innovation rooted in real optical experience.”
About Toulch Rimless
Born out of an independent, third-generation practice, Harry Toulch Optometrists, Toulch Rimless was created to solve long-standing challenges in rimless eyewear design and assembly. With a focus on simplicity, sustainability, and technical precision, Toulch Rimless is redefining what rimless eyewear can be: reliable, refined, and performance-driven.
Original link: https://www.opticaljournal.com/phi-by-toulch-rimless/