Oakley Eye Jacket

Eighteen Eye Jackets have passed through this studio. Everything on this page comes from pieces we have had in hand.

What it is

A wrap-around shield frame, sold across three generations that collectors write as 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 (or G1, G2, G3). It is one of the frames where the generation changes the look enough that you should know which one you are buying before you buy it.

The years printed on the pieces we have handled run from 1994 to 2000, with 1999 accounting for nine of the eighteen on its own. Of the pairs that stated a generation, we have had one Gen 1, four Gen 2 and two Gen 3; eleven came with no generation marked.

Colourways we have actually had

Frames

  • FMJ, in plain, in 45 mm and in a 5.56 version
  • Ivory
  • Moss
  • Carmel
  • Gunmetal
  • Midnight
  • Crystal Black
  • Black, and a Black Gold
  • Cheetah
  • Fingerprint
  • Electric Mustard

Lenses

  • Black Iridium
  • Gold Iridium, and a 24k Gold Iridium
  • Fire Iridium
  • Ice Iridium
  • VR50

Two of those frame names are worth stopping at. Carmel is the correct name for the tan colourway; we have seen it sold elsewhere as «burnt orange», and it is not. FMJ is Full Metal Jacket, a finish, not a colour, and it comes in several of them.

Sizing

The Eye Jacket is a wrap frame, so the lens–bridge–temple notation does not describe it: what matters is the total frame width. We do not publish that figure yet, because we have not measured it off a piece ourselves and we will not repeat a number we have not verified.

Ask us at 16.88studiocontact@gmail.com about any Eye Jacket listed here and we will measure it and photograph the temple engraving for you.

What to check before you buy one

  • Generation. 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 sit differently on the face and take different lenses. A listing that does not say which is a listing to ask about.
  • The temple engraving. Model and reference are printed inside the temple. It is the fastest authenticity check there is.
  • Lens edge. On a single-shield frame the lens takes every knock. Edge chips are common and they are not always visible in a photograph taken straight on — ask for one at an angle.
  • Rubber. Earsocks and nose bombs perish and get replaced. We say so when they are not original.

Looking for a specific one

Whatever is available is in the shop. If the colourway you want is not there, tell us the generation and the frame and lens you are after and we will look for it. That is what Sourcing is.