toosteeley
I should Work at Oakley
Due to recent debate in a for sale thread where I called a non-serialized set of xmetals "gen 4" and "matching", I wanted to create this post to discuss the issue. Based on the research I've done, it's my understanding there are 5 generations of most xmetals (using XX 24k as an example):
Gen 1: XG######
Gen 2: XG######A
Gen 3: XG######B
Gen 4: no serial on frame, old style box with serial (produced after late 2004)
Gen 5: SKU on frame, 3-piece box with small coin
Whether the non-serial pairs are considered their own generation or an in-between the gen 3 and final SKU gen, is irrelevant. The fact is, there was a few years when Oakley stopped printing serial numbers on the frames but continued issuing serial numbers on the boxes. These are the cases I want to discuss in more detail since they're understandably, the hardest to legitimize.
This has been confirmed by a number of knowledgeable members in various threads:
www.oakleyforum.com www.oakleyforum.com www.oakleyforum.com www.oakleyforum.com
I can understand this causes confusion as there are certainly warranty frames out there which also don't have a serial number. These warranty frames however, did not come with boxes. So how can you tell if a boxed set with serial number on the box but not on the frame, is legit? Let's look at a few XX boxes for example (thanks mjt42 for the pics):
Gen 1 XX
Gen 2 XX Ti02
Gen 3 XX 24k
As you can see, each of these boxes is from a different generation XX. Regardless of generation however, the "A" suffix and date (2000 running virtically up the right side) are consistent and therefore not helpful in dating or legitimizing if the box matches the frame. This was the contentious issue in my thread where It was argued my box was gen 1 based on the suffix and date, whereas the shiny plasma on my frame (and no serial) clearly indicates the glasses are NOT gen 1, thus not a matching set.
However, as shown above, the "A" suffix and date are consistent across all gen examples, so in this case, can NOT be used as the determining factor. Also, there is no "A" or "B" at the end of the numerical serial on the box to indicate generation, as there is on the frame. Instead, we need to look at the serial number itself. Assuming the numbers are sequential, let's compare the gen 3 "B" XX 24k serial # box from above to my gen 4, non-serial # box:
My gen 4 box serial # is clearly higher in sequence. If 40677 is a gen 3 "B" frame, it stands to reason 48748 indicates a later frame. Knowing that my frame has no serial, it's reasonable to assume the XX 24k got rid of serial numbers somewhere in between these 2 numbers. With no other method to determine legitimacy and everything else appearing to be correct, it's reasonable to assume therefore, that this is a legitimate and complete, matching set of gen 4, XX 24k.
Although I've used the XX 24k as an example, this appears to hold true for other XX colorways as well as most Juliets. So, for anyone questioning whether a boxed set of XXs or Juliets without a serial numbered frame are legit, try to get a hold of a gen 3 box and compare serial numbers. If the serial number on your box is higher, chances are good your set is legitimate.
I hope other members find this useful.
Gen 1: XG######
Gen 2: XG######A
Gen 3: XG######B
Gen 4: no serial on frame, old style box with serial (produced after late 2004)
Gen 5: SKU on frame, 3-piece box with small coin
Whether the non-serial pairs are considered their own generation or an in-between the gen 3 and final SKU gen, is irrelevant. The fact is, there was a few years when Oakley stopped printing serial numbers on the frames but continued issuing serial numbers on the boxes. These are the cases I want to discuss in more detail since they're understandably, the hardest to legitimize.
This has been confirmed by a number of knowledgeable members in various threads:
Juliet serial number question
im not actually considering this pair, this is a question for my own education. There is a Juliet on eBay right now. Plasma / ice polarized. The listed serial number is 04-153 55 O 21. I checked out the Xmetal serial number list and the pattern is supposed to be IP######. What am I missing...
Sold - Oakley X Metal XX Ti02 Black Iridium & 24K Iridium Lens
Oakley X Metal XX Ti02 Sunglasses Black Iridium & 24K Iridium Lens. No serial. No longer wearing these anymore, bought it new. The Black Iridium lenses have some slight scratches on them as shown in the pictures, can't be seen when worn. The 24K lenses are perfect. Looking for US$500 + shipping
Real or Fake Juliet
Thanks for pointing out the orbital shape sir, I personally never able to put a fake and the legit side by side so that information is very helpful. There were some pics posted of real & fake Juliets side-by-side; I can't find them now with a quick search but if I have time later I'll try to...
X Metal Serial Number
Thanks for answering my question. Are there frames ou there with nothing on the left stem? I just bought a pair of polished Juliets and there is no writing on the stems.
I can understand this causes confusion as there are certainly warranty frames out there which also don't have a serial number. These warranty frames however, did not come with boxes. So how can you tell if a boxed set with serial number on the box but not on the frame, is legit? Let's look at a few XX boxes for example (thanks mjt42 for the pics):
Gen 1 XX
Gen 2 XX Ti02
Gen 3 XX 24k
As you can see, each of these boxes is from a different generation XX. Regardless of generation however, the "A" suffix and date (2000 running virtically up the right side) are consistent and therefore not helpful in dating or legitimizing if the box matches the frame. This was the contentious issue in my thread where It was argued my box was gen 1 based on the suffix and date, whereas the shiny plasma on my frame (and no serial) clearly indicates the glasses are NOT gen 1, thus not a matching set.
However, as shown above, the "A" suffix and date are consistent across all gen examples, so in this case, can NOT be used as the determining factor. Also, there is no "A" or "B" at the end of the numerical serial on the box to indicate generation, as there is on the frame. Instead, we need to look at the serial number itself. Assuming the numbers are sequential, let's compare the gen 3 "B" XX 24k serial # box from above to my gen 4, non-serial # box:
My gen 4 box serial # is clearly higher in sequence. If 40677 is a gen 3 "B" frame, it stands to reason 48748 indicates a later frame. Knowing that my frame has no serial, it's reasonable to assume the XX 24k got rid of serial numbers somewhere in between these 2 numbers. With no other method to determine legitimacy and everything else appearing to be correct, it's reasonable to assume therefore, that this is a legitimate and complete, matching set of gen 4, XX 24k.
Although I've used the XX 24k as an example, this appears to hold true for other XX colorways as well as most Juliets. So, for anyone questioning whether a boxed set of XXs or Juliets without a serial numbered frame are legit, try to get a hold of a gen 3 box and compare serial numbers. If the serial number on your box is higher, chances are good your set is legitimate.
I hope other members find this useful.
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