Model of leptons from $SO(3)\to A_4$

The lepton sector masses and mixing angles can be explained in models based on $A_4$ symmetry. $A_4$ is a non-Abelian discrete group. Therefore, one issue in constructing models based on it is explaining the origin of $A_4$. A plausible mechanism is that $A_4$ is an unbroken subgroup of a continuous group that is broken spontaneously. We construct a model of leptons where the $A_4$ symmetry is obtained by spontaneous symmetry breaking of SO(3).