Truly excellent binoculars.
18.8x150mm-0deg - Nikko Original World War II Big Eye Binoculars
- Regular price
- $150,000.00
- Sale price
- Regular price
- $150,000.00
Nikko 18.8×150mm 0° — Original World War II "Big Eye" Binoculars
Among the rarest surviving instruments of the Imperi...
Description
Nikko 18.8×150mm 0° — Original World War II "Big Eye" Binoculars
Among the rarest surviving instruments of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Nikko 18.8×150mm "Big Eye" represents the absolute pinnacle of pre-war Japanese optical engineering — a class of shipboard observation binocular so large, so powerful, and so strategically vital that it was reserved exclusively for deployment aboard Japan's capital warships: the super-battleships and fleet flagships that formed the backbone of the Combined Fleet during the Second World War. These were not general-issue field glasses distributed across the fleet. They were precision instruments of command, mounted on the uppermost observation platforms of the most heavily armed and most heavily protected vessels the Imperial Navy ever put to sea.
Manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K.K. (the company known today as Nikon) during the mid-1930s at the height of Japan's naval rearmament, these binoculars deliver 18.8× magnification through a pair of 150mm triple-element Cooke-type objectives — an optical formula that was, at the time of manufacture, among the most advanced achromatic designs available for military applications. The Cooke triplet configuration, originally developed by H. Dennis Taylor in the 1890s, was prized for its ability to deliver sharp, well-corrected imagery across a wide field while keeping the number of glass-to-air surfaces to a minimum — a critical advantage in an era before modern anti-reflective coatings became widely available. The resulting three-degree field of view provided Japanese lookouts with an extraordinary combination of high magnification and situational breadth, enabling the detection and identification of surface contacts, aircraft, and navigational hazards at distances far beyond what the naked eye or lesser optics could achieve. In the vast expanses of the Pacific, where engagements could begin at ranges exceeding twenty miles, these instruments were not merely useful — they were operationally decisive.
At nearly one meter in overall length, the sheer physical scale of these binoculars is itself a testament to their purpose. These were not instruments to be carried or handheld. They were permanently mounted on heavy pedestal yokes, operated by dedicated lookout crews who served as the living eyes of the ship long before radar matured into a reliable detection tool in the Pacific Theater. In the Imperial Japanese Navy's tactical doctrine — which placed extraordinary emphasis on visual observation, night fighting, and early detection — the Big Eye binoculars were among the most important instruments aboard any warship.
This particular pair was recovered directly from an Imperial Japanese Navy vessel by a United States Naval Commander serving in the Pacific Theater during the Allied demilitarization of the Japanese fleet following Japan's surrender in August 1945. As American forces systematically boarded, inventoried, and decommissioned the surviving warships of the Imperial Navy, individual officers had the opportunity to acquire select items as war trophies — a practice that, for instruments of this size and significance, was exceedingly uncommon. The Commander retained the binoculars for the remainder of his life, and they remained in his family's private possession for decades thereafter.
In 2019, the binoculars were acquired directly from the Commander's descendants. What followed was a painstaking eighteen-month restoration, conducted with the dual objectives of preserving every element of historical authenticity while returning the instrument to the magnificent optical and cosmetic condition on display here today. The result is a piece that honors both its origins and its provenance — an artifact that has survived nearly a century, a global war, the destruction of the navy it served, and decades of private stewardship, and now presents in a condition that befits its extraordinary significance.
Surviving examples of the Nikko 150mm Big Eye are vanishingly scarce. The overwhelming majority were destroyed along with the ships that carried them — sunk, scrapped, or lost to the catastrophic violence of the Pacific War. Of those that survived the war intact, most were either scrapped during demilitarization or disappeared into institutional collections and military warehouses. The number of authenticated, restored examples in private hands worldwide can be counted on one hand.
This instrument is documented in Hans T. Seeger's definitive reference work, Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und Marine (Military Binoculars and Telescopes in Army, Air Force and Navy), pages 274–275 — the standard scholarly reference for military optical instruments of the era.
At nearly one meter in length and possessing a commanding physical presence unlike virtually any other collectible object, the Nikko 18.8×150mm Big Eye does not simply complement a room — it defines it. This is a generational acquisition: a museum-grade artifact of global military history, a masterwork of 1930s optical engineering, and a statement piece of unrivaled scale and presence that will anchor a collection, a home, or an office for centuries to come.
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Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 38 reviews.
I purchased this for my husband’s 50th birthday. He is very interested in WWII history and always wanted a set. We live on the Mississippi River valley, so these binoculars will make eagle watching so much more enjoyable.
Company was great! Delivery came quickly and the product quality is top notch in every way. The piece is absolutely beautiful. It is perfect for our beach front condo. We love it!!!
We love our new binoculars! They add an elevated level of detail to our home. The “Bigeye” 15 x 80 gives us a new dimension to our balcony view! Packed and shipped in a display worthy wooden box, they were definitely worth the price!
Amazing vision in a super stylish piece of art!
Excellent experience all around from ordering, to product, to shipping questions and tracking, to accessories. Will certainly be buying again!
great -- super happy
Awesome product and buyer experience.
Old world craftsmanship with New World Experience. The detail work is superb. The optics are great and the overall look is perfect. Would recommend. Luxx OPTICA to anyone Looking for a showpiece and functional optics.
Very nice binoculars. Only reason for four stars, not five, is the height adjustment on the tripod stand is a bit difficult and required two persons to adjust.
Lake house beach house mountain cabin anywhere you want to see more of your view but closer! We love ours
"Asahi" - 15x80mm Bigeye Binoculars
Store owner replied: Thanks Michael, we are glad you like them! Happy holidays!
Everything arrived in perfect shape. Really happy with the purchase.
Saw these at the boat show. Beautiful works of art
Great looking
When I seen online the Midway binoculars I thought that they couldn't be as nice or the quality be as high as they looked. I was pleasantly surprised that the two pairs I purchased exceeded my expectations by a mile. My wife and I can't stop looking through them and being amazed at what we see far out in the ocean.
One of the best purchases I’ve made. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the binaculars.
Love it!
Enjoying my Asahi binoculars! Great views and nice piece of art in the living room
Happened upon your product at the Norwalk Boat Show . The quality and workmanship made it a must have . Heirloom !
Our ASAHI just arrived and we set up right away! Set up was very straightforward. Looks incredible! Great shots of Naragansett Bay.
Just invested in my second set-The Yamato. It's beyond beautiful, adding a luxurious look to the family room. Everyone enjoys looking at boats as they drive past the home. Total quality, my daughter has already claimed the first pair I bought last year after my demise.
Ordered the Asahi 15x80 at the Chicago Boat Show. Received the unit a few days later. Setup was easy. The view through them is fantastic.
I have seen these fantastic binoculars in W Palm Beach. And have always admired them. My wife and I saw them displayed at the Lake Tahoe wooden boat concourse and immediately knew we had the perfect place for them in our Lake Tahoe home. Michel Colombo demoed them for us on Saturday and we have the binoculars on Tuesday! Outstanding service! Easy set up. Beautiful, clear optics. Looks wonderful in our home. Thanks you Luxx Optica!
I have seen these fantastic binoculars in W Palm Beach. And have always admired them. My wife and I saw them displayed at the Lake Tahoe wooden boat concourse and immediately knew we had the perfect place for them in our Lake Tahoe home. Michel Colombo demoed them for us on Saturday and we have the binoculars on Tuesday! Outstanding service! Easy set up. Beautiful, clear optics. Looks wonderful in our home. Thanks you Luxx Optica!
Very pleased with our purchase! Great service from start to finish with Sean. Looking forward to using this in our home with our family.
Really good-looking and functional! Beautifully packaged, easy to assemble and use.
Such a great product, this is my second pair.
These gorgeous binoculars really up-level the look of your house! We are already planning where to set up our next pair.
I set up my Yamato's and couldn't be happier. They've taken our room to a new level. They're not a conversation piece, they're the centerpiece! My family uses them constantly. They bring both style and functionality. Highly recommend, you won't regret it.
No Surprise here. Exactly what I expected. Beautiful piece of functionality. Adds nautical elegance.
Luxxoptica is First Class and we couldn’t be happier with our purchase. Our family trades off views of the manatees and bottlenose dolphins that frequent the bay from the 3rd floor balcony of our home in the Florida Keys. Thank you for the work you’ve put into such a beautiful and functional work of art.
I just received and set up my new Asahi binoculars - they are stunning to look at and amazing to look through! Mike has been so helpful and responsive to all of my questions. Quality team and impressive product. So glad I found Luxx Optica!
The product/binoculars are second to none! They are top of the line and will totally transform a room and will be the conversation focal point at any event. I will enjoy these for many years to come and will be overjoyed to pass these along to my children one day. These binoculars will be a family heirloom! Thanks so much!
The Asahi binoculars are not only the highest quality binoculars I've ever tried, they are stunning. We've turned them into the focal point of our St. Pete Condo. History meets Art with perfection on every level. Thank you Mike -
These are an amazing piece of art. We live in an absolutely dark area and can take advantage of incredible star gazing.
I bought an Asahi last year for my office in Newport Beach, and I couldn't be happier. The quality of the lenses and the craftsmanship are top notch. If you are on the fence, buy them, you will not be disappointed.
I have been observing these for many years at various shows and knew at some point in my life I would have a house that was well suited for them. My home in the keys is perfectly positioned to look out over Sombrero Reef lighthouse. The perfect balance between form and function.
Beautiful functional art that will be displayed in our home and any future residence. The binoculars, stand and the shipping crate are all quality pieces that will be passed down to future generations.