Ray-Ban Clubmaster RB3016 W0365 Black / Green G15 Unisex Sunglasses - Black/Gold
Two things about me -- I am paranoid about getting ripped off and I am hesitant buying any higher end apparel from a second party online. Without holding them in my hands and examining them thoroughly for signs of authenticity, I feel like I'm gambling with my money. However, considering my great past experiences with Great Offer Stock, I felt like it was worth a shot. With one of the site's many 15% off coupons in my cart, I pressed "Purchase Item."
Fast forward to a couple of days later. I held my breath when I opened the package. "Okay, the Ray-Bans box looks legit," I thought, "Let's see what's inside." I laid out the contents of the package on my kitchen counter, all the while watching a video about determining whether your Ray-Ban Clubmasters are fakes or the real deal. Brown leather case -- check. Mini Ray-Bans catalogue -- check. Ray-Bans cleaning cloth -- check. I held the Clubmasters. Heavy, well made, and absolutely gorgeous. Then my eyes immediately focused on the "Made in China" insignia on the inside of the frame. "Made in China?" My two previous pairs of Ray-Ban have "Made in Italy" birthmarks. My heart sank and I was prepared to send back the glasses with an angry review.
Then I referred back to the video. Luxottica, the manufacturer of Ray-Bans, has factories in Italy and China. While many Ray-Bans are still made at the Italian factory, some of the more popular frames are assembled in China. Most importantly, majority of Clubmasters are manufactured at the Chinese factory. I began looking for the telltale signs of authentic Ray-Bans, and I found every single one. Laser cut RBs in the lenses, RBs on the nose plates, product numbers on the bridge, and Ray-Ban insignia on the front corner and on the inside of the temple, and product name and numbers on the opposing temple. Going a step further, I took the Ray-Bans to a Ray-Bans retailer and compared them to a display pair -- Exactly the same frame. Only difference was their price, which was at least 50 dollars. I can say with absolute percent certainty that these Clubmasters are the real deal.
Oh, and the look and fit? Combine early 1960s class with modern cool, and you have the Clubmaster. They make anyone look great.