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Thread: Who Makes your Sunglasses?

  1. #1
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    Who Makes your Sunglasses?

    I know we have a few sunglasses lovers on here, but did you know that your sunglasses are more and likely produced by the same company? from Ray Ban to Versace, they are all owned and produced by the same company, Luxottica

    here's a full list of brands owned by them,

    Ray-Ban
    Oakley
    Chanel
    Bulgari
    Dolce & Gabbana
    Salvatore Ferragamo
    Prada
    Burberry
    Polo Ralph Lauren
    Paul Smith
    Stella McCartney
    Tiffany
    Vogue
    Persol
    Miu Miu
    Tory Burch
    Donna Karan
    Oliver Peoples
    Revo
    Arnette
    ESS
    K&L
    Mosley Tribes
    Sferoflex
    Anne Klein
    Brooks Brothers
    Chaps
    Club Monaco
    D&G
    DKNY
    Ralph Lauren Purple Label
    Ralph
    Ralph Lauren
    Versace
    Versus

    this might not be surprising to some, but I found it interesting on the same level as Unilever and its dominance in skincare/household etc.

  2. #2
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    There was a video on here not long ago on this. Quite interesting.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPCain86 View Post
    There was a video on here not long ago on this. Quite interesting.
    this one?


  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundood View Post
    I know we have a few sunglasses lovers on here, but did you know that your sunglasses are more and likely produced by the same company? from Ray Ban to Versace, they are all owned and produced by the same company, Luxottica

    here's a full list of brands owned by them,

    Ray-Ban
    Oakley
    Chanel
    Bulgari
    Dolce & Gabbana
    Salvatore Ferragamo
    Prada
    Burberry
    Polo Ralph Lauren
    Paul Smith
    Stella McCartney
    Tiffany
    Vogue
    Persol
    Miu Miu
    Tory Burch
    Donna Karan
    Oliver Peoples
    Revo
    Arnette
    ESS
    K&L
    Mosley Tribes
    Sferoflex
    Anne Klein
    Brooks Brothers
    Chaps
    Club Monaco
    D&G
    DKNY
    Ralph Lauren Purple Label
    Ralph
    Ralph Lauren
    Versace
    Versus

    this might not be surprising to some, but I found it interesting on the same level as Unilever and its dominance in skincare/household etc.


    Very surprised at Oakley being in that list.

  5. #5
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    I've just bought a pair of Sungod sunglasses which for the price are excellent, though not quite up to my Julliets.

  6. #6
    Master pacifichrono's Avatar
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    Maui Jim prescription...😎

  7. #7
    Master aldfort's Avatar
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    Thankfully my Ray Ban's were made by Bausch and Lomb and purchased direct from the Factory Shop in Rochester NY some years ago.

    There is now a huge pre-owned market for Original Ray Ban's.

  8. #8
    Master BSB's Avatar
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    Are my Serengettis the only ones NOT on the list

  9. #9
    Master raysablade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BSB View Post
    Are my Serengettis the only ones NOT on the list
    Seems my Specsavers bifocals aren't either, that's a relief.

  10. #10
    I bet TKMax know then very well

  11. #11
    Master EdRonax's Avatar
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    Big fan of Oakley X metals and Oliver Peoples specials, both pre Luxottica era. OP were bought by Oakley in 2006 who in turn were taken over in 2007 not long after Jim Jannard, Mr Oakley, left. Personally I thought things were never the same after he left.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by aldfort View Post
    Thankfully my Ray Ban's were made by Bausch and Lomb and purchased direct from the Factory Shop in Rochester NY some years ago.

    There is now a huge pre-owned market for Original Ray Ban's.
    I always thought the frame was Ray Bans and the lenses was Bausch and Lomb.

  13. #13
    Very interesting - what's the cheapest brand on the list?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Very interesting - what's the cheapest brand on the list?
    It's just a matter of time...

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by classics View Post
    I always thought the frame was Ray Bans and the lenses was Bausch and Lomb.
    I think Bausch and Lomb sold the Ray Ban brand in 1999 to Luxottica and since then they've been made in Italy. Like others have said American made B&L Ray Bans are quite collectable now. I've a few pairs along with 'vintage' Cartier, Cazal, Alpina and others - I try to avoid modern Luxottica brands same way I avoid modern conglomerate watch manufactures, vintage is much more interesting! 😎

  15. #15
    Master robcuk's Avatar
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    There are other Italian companies who still make small run, hand-made, glasses in Italy, for example:

    http://www.otticacarraro.it/en/
    Check out the folding reading glasses!

    and

    http://www.otticavascellari.it/?lang=en

    Both have online shops and physical shops in Venice.

  16. #16

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by EdRonax View Post
    Big fan of Oakley X metals and Oliver Peoples specials, both pre Luxottica era. OP were bought by Oakley in 2006 who in turn were taken over in 2007 not long after Jim Jannard, Mr Oakley, left. Personally I thought things were never the same after he left.
    Like you I'm a big fan of pre-Luxottica era Oakley and Oliver Peoples eyewear, there is a noticeable difference in the quality of my pre-Luxottica "VFX" OP Commander 64s (circa 2006) when compared to my much newer pair of which the model name escapes me.

    That said, if it weren't for Luxottica's dominance I wouldn't have found it half as simple to get the arm tips replaced on the former after the OP boutique in Beverley Hills very kindly sent me some new ones FOC and my local branch of David Clulow fitted them, again FOC. The significance? Well rather obviously OP is owned by Luxottica, but so too is David Clulow; along with Sunglass Hut, in case you weren't already aware.

  18. #18
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    After Luxottica the second largest sunglasses company is Safilo which is also Itallian. Among others Safilo owns the Polaroid brand and surprisingly makes most of its polarised lenses in Dumbarton in Scotland.

    Polaroid sunglasses lenses have been made in Scotland since the 1980s

    Just like watches there is a lot of brand engineering in the sunglasses business but the technology behind the brand engineering is pretty standard and the mark ups are enormous.

    regards
    grant

  19. #19
    Master Chukas's Avatar
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    Hugo Boss prescription 😀🤓

  20. #20
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    wow that was an eye opener (no pun intended)

  21. #21
    Master Maysie's Avatar
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    I don't really care too much who makes the frames, but I DO care who makes the lenses.
    Last edited by Maysie; 6th June 2016 at 16:06.

  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by raysablade View Post
    Seems my Specsavers bifocals aren't either, that's a relief.
    Indeed, although mine have Qucksilver branded frames.
    Andy

    Wanted - Damasko DC57

  23. #23
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    I knew about this, but people should be informed. So, for example, now under Luxottica ownership Oakleys are made in China 'Assembled in USA' on the box now means manufactured in China and bits put together in USA. Also, the plastic is lower quality, because of something about China limiting imports of certain raw materials for polymers.

    What it means for me is if you want quality sport sunbins, you should get Rudy Project (made in Italy), Serengeti (Italy or Japan) or Maui Jim (Italy or Japan), or Adidas (Austria)

  24. #24
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    Unbranded but decent 'square aviator' frame with custom-made Carl Zeiss graded brown bifocal lenses, the reading part deliberately weaker and set lower than average, for flying.

  25. #25
    Grand Master VDG's Avatar
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    I see Cartier and Tom Ford are not on the list.
    Fas est ab hoste doceri

  26. #26
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    I have Serengeti for normal out and about duties and Julbo for on the mountain bike. I tried hard to stay away from Oakley, not because of who owns them but purely because everyone at work seems to have them.

    Just like on this forum really - everyone seems to own a Rolex. I, however, am happy with my cheapo in comparison Seiko and Citizen collection, but only because I am to poor to own one!

  27. #27
    Master reggie747's Avatar
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    I notice my Randolph's are exempt from the list too ......

  28. #28
    Master gerard's Avatar
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    I wear Costa del Mar and American Optical. I have original Frog Skins from 1988 and also Orvis glasses with Italian made frames, but Ziess lenses.

  29. #29
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    I have Pila, with interchangeable lenses which are made by Ziess.
    Last edited by rmblaikie; 8th June 2016 at 18:23.

  30. #30
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    Maui Jim for me... weigh nothing, and are apparently indestructible judging by the number of times I've sat on them 😂

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

  31. #31
    Master BEZELBOY's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BSB View Post
    Are my Serengettis the only ones NOT on the list
    Can't see my Maui Jim on there either.

    Andy

  32. #32
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    Police aren't on there either

  33. #33
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    Not sure if its still the case, but Serengeti's were made by Corning Optics - the same company who developed glass for the Space programme. They make great sun glasses and probably the best drivers sun glasses.

    For sport I like Oakley's and Sunwise glasses (a cheap version of Oakley's but great for skiing, golf, cycling etc and they usually come with a range of easily interchangeable polycarbonate lenses to suit all conditions/activities.

  34. #34
    Master
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    Police are owned by De-rigo and Serengeti and Bolle by Bushnell.

  35. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    Maui Jim for me... weigh nothing, and are apparently indestructible judging by the number of times I've sat on them

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
    Bugger.



    Sent from my OnePlus 6T using Tapatalk

  36. #36
    Ha brilliant! Well I'd like to know how many times you sat on them in the last three years

    This was an interesting thread actually - I wonder if some of those independent brands are still independent.

    To add - my Oakley Pit Boss 2s are still going strong after purchasing them for ridiculous money in 2009 (phenomenal sunglasses). My newer Oakley not so well.
    Last edited by crazyp; 13th May 2019 at 11:37.

  37. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by crazyp View Post
    Ha brilliant! Well I'd like to know how many times you sat on them in the last three years

    This was an interesting thread actually - I wonder if some of those independent brands are still independent.

    To add - my Oakley Pit Boss 2s are still going strong after purchasing them for ridiculous money in 2009 (phenomenal sunglasses). My newer Oakley not so well.
    I didn't actually sit on them to break them... I just removed them from my head in the same way that I always have. I guess 5 years of flexing finally created a stress fracture - they just fell apart as I took them off.

    Tempted to try some Randolph Engineering Aviators to see what all the fuss is about. I'm in London on Wednesday so I'll see if I can track some down.

    https://www.randolphusa.com/men/aviator/

  38. #38
    Maui Jim, I have 5 pairs in different styles and lenses

    Rayban Aviators

    Serengeti sport Photochromic for wearing at Sea
    Last edited by Vanguard; 13th May 2019 at 12:11.

  39. #39
    They also own Sunglasses Hut.

  40. #40
    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    I didn't actually sit on them to break them... I just removed them from my head in the same way that I always have. I guess 5 years of flexing finally created a stress fracture - they just fell apart as I took them off.

    Tempted to try some Randolph Engineering Aviators to see what all the fuss is about. I'm in London on Wednesday so I'll see if I can track some down.

    https://www.randolphusa.com/men/aviator/
    They look pretty decent. Give us an update! If I am nearby any shops when I hit central in the week I'll try have a look too.

  41. #41
    Grand Master GraniteQuarry's Avatar
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    Just to say, Luxottica doesn't OWN most of the listed brands but is merely licensed to PRODUCE them; they do physically own Oakley and Ray-Ban and a handful of the other lower-end brands.

  42. #42
    Master
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    I can remember sitting opposite a chap at a social event about twenty years ago and his glasses looked heck of a lot better than anyone elses. They really did seem to be much better than any I had ever seen before.

    I got talking to him and he eventually told me that he owned and ran his own Silversmiths company and often made things for himself and his family. The glass frames were silver and made by hand and they looked several notches above any so called designer frames.

  43. #43
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    I picked up another pair of Serengeti sunglasses last year.
    Better made than the crappy Ray Bans I had previously and much better optics.

  44. #44
    I'm still wearing my Oakley X-Metal Romeos. https://www.revantoptics.com/blog/th...-oakley-romeo/

    they were damned expensive when I bought them and have had a lens swap since then but are still going strong and oddly are probably worth more now than when I bought them ;)

  45. #45
    Quote Originally Posted by jammie*dodger View Post
    I'm still wearing my Oakley X-Metal Romeos. https://www.revantoptics.com/blog/th...-oakley-romeo/

    they were damned expensive when I bought them and have had a lens swap since then but are still going strong and oddly are probably worth more now than when I bought them ;)
    My old Oakleys are the Pit Boss 2 - trading a bit cheaper than when I bought. But still rock solid performance 10 years on with no issues with the lens.

    I remember those Romeos - fantastic construction. The newer stuff doesn't compare.

  46. #46
    Quote Originally Posted by Olly View Post
    I've just bought a pair of Sungod sunglasses which for the price are excellent, though not quite up to my Julliets.
    I have a pair following a recommendation from the forum. Really are great for the money and better than modern Oakleys in my opinion. Great for the price

  47. #47
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by aldfort View Post
    Thankfully my Ray Ban's were made by Bausch and Lomb and purchased direct from the Factory Shop in Rochester NY some years ago.

    There is now a huge pre-owned market for Original Ray Ban's.
    Mine (aviators) are B&L too, although I also have a pair of new'ish Ray Ban polarised aviators for driving. The B&L lenses seem better made.

  48. #48
    Master
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    I have a pair of Tag Heuer 27 degees, can't see them on the list.

  49. #49
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    AO's here, with prescripted and polarised lenses.

    Menno

  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    Bugger.

    One of the reasons I like Maui Jims so much is the availability of replacement parts.

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

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