Amazing addition, that Daytona. Congrats!

Bringing up a dead thread, but seems appropriate for the new GQ article on Oakley:

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/oakley-sunglasses

While most of the older Oakley collectors are hating what’s being put out these days, it seems the current generation (and most of the world) believe Oakley’s still got it and is cool, even praising their recent collabs.

It’s a cool idea and one fans have thought about for years but never thought it would happen. I imagine there will be several crossover between Marvel characters and 20th Century Fox ones in the future.

Yes, Prizm Trail Torch on the Kato.

Probably the best for the name change. The Hybrid and Range were both internally listed as Frogmod but I guess they changed their minds. For the trivia lovers, the original sketch diagram with name passed around:

There’s been a couple vendors that have already listed it for 1,700+ Euro for a bit with the Leather Mars SKU. No stock, but it’s listed.

There were suppose to be more in the Community lineup, or at least listed as such internally. I don’t know if Oakley changed their minds about it being in the same line, if they are releasing it later, or if they were moved to a different collection name, but it’s the balsam stuff. Translucent Balsam on the Kato, matte red/gold shift on the Encoder Vented Strike, Matte balsam on the Encoder and Flak XL:

The price is certainly unfortunate, but it’s even more unfortunate the pricing is not too out-of-line with current industry trends.

The eyewear industry is certainly testing consumers’ willingness to invest in limited, sustainable titanium. It all comes at a cost, of course. I posted on IG about Nick Fury’s 3D printed titanium eyewear in the “Secret Invasion” show from Hoet Couture. Those are 2,000 Euro each. Porsche Design put out their limited 3D printed titanium pair called the P’8950 50Y, and those sold out online at $1,800 each. McLaren did their 3D printed unibody frame for 4,000 Euro each. The only difference is Oakley designed Mars decades ago, so there’s no costs with that, but overall 3D printed titanium eyewear is not inexpensive right now, unfortunately.

Of course, the cheaply designed stuff with less materiel is out there and is accessible. POC did their limited 3D printed titanium pair called the Elicit Ti for $400. Granted, it was just the arms that were printed since it was a shield design, but it was affordable. Rolf Spectacles have their pairs at 600 Euro each, but the designs are super simplistic.

I’d rather just have titanium eyewear produced in the traditional way and have it more affordable, but environmental and climate change impacts will require different production methods in the future, all costs of which will be passed onto the consumer.

Like the rest of the world today, M-Experiment is riding on nostalgic fuel. Which is fantastic. Over the next year or two, you will see Oakley continue to heavily target the Gen Zs and eventually Gen Alpha in the future, so it’s good to see some throwbacks for the Boomers/Gen X’ers/early Millennials from another brand. I don’t know if that’s enough to carry the brand, but I’m in for what will surely be a fun ride.

Yes, Prizm 24k.

I broke down and picked up a Business and Gigawatt for fun. Not bad at all. Quality seems comparable to current Oakley frame fit and finish standards (though I like Oakley's lenses a lot more), at least from a first wear and hands-on perspective. Gigawatt is interesting. It does seem to follow on from stuff like the Fast Jacket and Flaks...but bigger. I'm highly impressed with the Business; it wears less supple than something of comparable pricing and curvature like Frogskins, but I like it a lot more.

I love independent eyewear. They make stuff with super high quality and incorporate interesting designs. They tend to be MUCH more expensive because of their low production volume and higher craftsmanship, however. M-Experiment making competitively priced eyewear relative to other high volume manufacturers in the industry (and with good quality) is super, super impressive.

On a separate note, I passed on buying pairs when they were initially offered. I bought after many, many, many restocks and still got serialed pairs, so there's still a chance for everyone if you're still thinking about it for that reason.

Any guesses on what that logo resembles? - obsession

((V)) - Benjamin

LMAO. Excellent observation! Now I can’t unsee it!

I always thought it looked like the front to HQ.

Project Scorpio was a better name. JS.

I also noticed Toby R’s work for J brand is no longer visible. Or at least not readily visible through regular navigation on his site. Dust off those designs as well. - Oak

Oh my! If some of his stuff comes to fruition as well that would be amazing!!! - yelkao

Yep! There’s always a bit of lost translation in his work from concept to final product (as is usually the case anyway), especially his stuff for Roka, but some of his designs are so unnecessarily complicated that it’s just gotta be awesome pieces of art if they made it.

I also noticed Toby R’s work for J brand is no longer visible. Or at least not readily visible through regular navigation on his site. Dust off those designs as well.

I guess nose coverage is a big thing these days:

https://onusoptics.com/



There are fake Katos out there, but some brands are outright stealing the design:

The outline on that lens is really cool. I wish I was younger so I can appreciate these brand collabs more.

Nice comparison, Dan. I expect they’d be dusting off more of his designs as well. Maybe even his and Chris Goodman’s watch designs…..

That’s a solid looking BXTR Metal.

Turns out there are two versions of the goggle. One with the hook for the retention rope like in the official Oakley renders, and one with standard holes in the lens (which also has venting holes and appears to have a frame around the lens). Not quite clear if both are Oakley or not, or if both appear onscreen. Maybe one for stunts and one for closeups.

This was in a promo video:


This was during actual filming:

For sure. I just mean I thought Oakley would’ve wanted to add some of their visual flair rather than produce something that looks like a Kroop’s-like goggle (or any other generic goggle with a small rope retainer). One that is molded specifically for TC’s face, sure, but something that is visually indistinguishable from any other sky diving brand nevertheless. A missed opportunity in a big blockbuster. I’m sure there’re good reasons for it, but imagine a Kato-like skydiving goggle. Oakley could’ve launched a new eyewear segment after an intro like that.

David Cheesman is the prop master on this one; Kris Peck was the prop master on GP.