"First Gen Ruby" (whether the glasses model or iridium) is a term first coined nearly a decade ago by a scalper to differentiate his lens from others so he could sell it for a much higher price. A scaper's marketing term, if you will. Along the way some newbies took the words to heart and spead its use without some research. Now, collectors are using it to scalp Ruby Juliets for $2,500 (not that it'll sell).

There's really no consistency with its usage. I doubt we'll ever get agreement on what it means since it's not an official term, but i wanna hear your thoughts. So, does First Gen Ruby mean:

1) the first Ruby Juliets that came out for the X-men movie, 2nd Gen being the continuation of it, 3rd Gen being the non-serialed re-release for X3 and final gen for whatever came afterwards (hydrophobic, new box/coin)
2) the first lenses that came out in 2000, with the 2nd gen being the more Orangey iridium tint of 2004-2005
3) a catch-all term for any lens that is red
4) something other?

When I hear 'first gen ruby', I really hear "this ruby lens is at an elite level of ruby-ness that I feel makes it a holy grail in my collection and/or worthy of you paying much more for.

Otherwise translated into "How much can I rip you off for?"

If I had to pin it on something, I'd say limited to the OEM lenses on the X serials first run Juliet's. I wouldn't give any credence to 2nd, 3rd, nth.... gens.

I personally think the X-serial # definition is fairly safe, although I've seen J-serial # rubies being quite red. On scalping, the aim is exclusivity, so some have tried to limit "true" (1st gen) ruby to the first 5000 by serial # (which presumes chronological production then release by serial # order). Since we can probably agree that collecting of any sort is a personal thing based on personal preference, we value our collection the way we see it. How much would I pay or sell them for? I think $80 would be an insult, probably. $800 would be exorbitant even with original frames included.

Well said.

"Peter?"
"Yes"
I crack me up- and probably you too Doc Josh... :)

Seriously, what it means to me now is there's a migraine brewing. In a very close second place is "Blackhawk down lenses".

To the point I too would agree with Ichi that when I hear FGR I think of the OEM X serial Juliet lenses. Are there others that are deep red? Sure, but in a vacuum that is what FGR means to me.

I don't own one in my collection and I'm so worn out over seeing scalpers offering other lenses and calling them FGR that I don't have any interest.

Funny how that was my thought in 2004 as well. Im actually surprised when I still hear about the lenses. If I were to go after one, I'd stick with an X serial and the box that says Black/Ruby on it. The color these days isn't half bad. My deviation lenses are brilliant.

To Oakley collectors, Ruby Iridium will always be one of the most important collectible lenses released. Oakley really did make a big deal of its release back in the day, so it's no wonder collectors are making it a big deal even until today.

Funny that I read this thread... I agree, to me FGR refers to the X serial Juliets with the ruby lenses.

I was emailing back and forth with a person on the bay selling a set that had no serial number and he/she was continuing to tell me that the frames are new but the lenses were FGR and that is why they were so expensive... I kept trying to tell him that without the serial there is no FGR. My message wasn't getting through so I just left it and I believe they were priced way outside of normal pricing so they didn't sell. Too funny though that most use it as a way to try and increase their profit without knowing what it is they have exactly.

A seller will never concede, it wouldn't be to their benefit. If you corner them with facts, they will either disappear or go on the offensive. It was fun toying with bmcaps back in the day.

It means squat, lenses are done in batches and always have been, so,e are more red, some yellow, some orange. I have a very late serial X frame 376xx and its nice and ruby red very little yellow and they came straight from HQ.

P.S. This is for Oak.... In the words of Hulk Hogan... Amen Brother!