Maybach The King III vs The Chief 1: Two Aviators Compared

Both of these are large Maybach aviators and both are in stock in single figures, which is the normal state of this shelf. They are separated by material and by a substantial amount of money, so it is worth being precise about what the difference buys. Neither is a fashion-licence frame; both are built to be worn for years and serviced rather than replaced.

Side by side

Where these two sit in the Maybach range

We are holding 19 Maybach frames in stock, from ₹1,13,400 to ₹3,43,650, with the median at ₹1,92,250. The Chief 1 starts at ₹1,90,900 and The King III at ₹3,43,650, a gap of ₹1,52,750. Put differently, 5 of the 19 Maybach models we stock start below The Chief 1, and 13 start below The King III. Both of these figures are live rupee prices for stock on our shelves, and both match what the same frame costs across the counter in our showrooms.

The King III is in stock in Green Gradient Mellow Gold Black Lacquer and Umber Brown Gradient Rose Gold Black Lacquer. The Chief 1 is in stock in Light Bronze Gradient / Champagne Gold. Where a model runs to several colourways the alternatives are usually within a few hundred rupees of each other, so colour is a taste decision rather than a budget one.

Who each one suits

Maybach The King III. An aviator front in mixed with a 62 mm lens. The shape traditionally reads best on square and heart-shaped faces, where the curved lower rim softens a strong jaw. The brand lists it for men. It is in stock in 2 colourways at ₹3,43,650.

Maybach The Chief 1. An aviator front in titanium with a 61 mm lens. The shape traditionally reads best on square and heart-shaped faces, where the curved lower rim softens a strong jaw. The brand lists it for men. It is in stock in 1 colourway at ₹1,90,900.

Face shape is a starting point, not a rule. The measurement that decides comfort is the lens width against the width of your face, and the three numbers printed inside your current frame's temple arm, in the form 55-18-145, are the fastest way to get it right. Send us a photo wearing your current glasses and our opticians will tell you which of these two sits better.

Lenses, prescriptions and fitting

Either frame can be discussed with an optician before you pay, which is the part online eyewear normally leaves out. We are authorized partners for Zeiss and Essilor lenses and we glaze in-house, so a prescription can be built into an optical frame, and prescription sun lenses are possible in a good number of sun models. Whether a specific reference will take your prescription depends on the curve of the front and the strength of the correction, so send us the model code and your prescription on WhatsApp and we will answer before you order rather than after. Frame adjustments at our showrooms are free for the life of the pair.

The verdict

The Chief 1 is the one to take if you want titanium on your face and the lower of the two numbers. The King III is the one if you want the flagship reference and the finishing that goes with it. At this level availability decides as often as preference does, so check with us before you set your heart on one.

Both pairs ship the same way: sourced through authorized distribution, inspected by our opticians, packed with the original case, cleaning cloth, brand papers and warranty documentation, and delivered insured and tracked in 7 to 10 days across India. Online prices match our showroom prices. Online purchases can be exchanged within 7 days of receipt for store credit that never expires, so a sizing mistake is not a dead end.

Where to go next

• Maybach The King III
• Maybach The Chief 1
• Maybach prices in India, the full in-stock price list
• The Maybach collection

Still deciding between these two? Message our opticians on WhatsApp and they will answer from the shelf, with stock, sizes and rupee prices in front of them.