Collectors Spotlight - March 2009 - cassius_20
The West Coast
cassius_20: Ken





At the moment, 11 years. I was not a hardcore collector till recent years. My first pair was a Christmas gift from my parents in 1998. One of the arms snapped so I had to send it to Oakley for replacement. At this time, the colourway was not available so I had to get another pair. Since I was still in high school, I had to sell it but regretted ever since. My interest with Oakley was broken off in 1999. Didn’t really start to collect till few years later, 2004 to be exact. I was flipping through eBay to see what was available. My first purchase through eBay was a Polished Juliet. After discovering O-Review, the addiction carried forward.




I blame O-Review for this addiction:) At first, I thought I only needed 1 pair of sunglasses for protection. After discovering this site, I believe there are MANY ways to protect your eyes, through different styles and different lens tints. My buddy in 1997 actually introduced me into the world of Oakley. Ever since I laid my eyes on his eye jackets, I knew I had to discover what Oakley was all about.




That would have to be my Electric Mustard Straight Jackets. Being a fat kid back then comes with a disadvantage in head size. I couldn’t wear them for long periods of time because they were so tight that they would squeeze my head and would give me a headache. One day, while rocking my SJ’s going home from school, the left arm snapped. I think I almost cried. Oakley said they stopped producing that colourway so I had to get a replacement, which was a bland pair of polished aluminum/fire SJs. Unfortunately, I sold them. Thankfully, with the help of this site, a member named Tick was able to get me my first love. I still have a huge head, so this pair would usually sit in my cabinet.




There are three instances:
1. Selling my polished aluminum SJs. Technically, since my first pair broke, I would still consider this as the first in my collection.
2. Pair of mint iridium eyeshades on eBay. Got outbid by $2.
3. Did not enter factory co-pilot contest:(





Who knows, whatever catches my eye I’ll pounce on. I really want to get into watches but that would have to wait till I am done university and get a full time job. When I am not studying, I’ll be staring into my display.




Hmm, I would like to think all of my glasses are jewels, but the pairs that stand out for me right now would be my Ruby Mars, OTT, and my Why3s. I really like Ruby and +Red so any pair in my collection that has that tint will have a place in my heart.




I used to have a space on my bookshelf where I proudly display my glasses but dust would always land on it. I had to store them in their packaging most of the time. Luckily, I picked up a single tower for cheap so I place all my glasses in there. Since my addiction is growing, I may need a double. But, since I live here in Canada where everything is scarce, I don’t know if I can pick one up for a reasonable price. I always dreamed where I could leave my glasses all-over my room without a particle of dust but we live in reality here.




Not really. I would like to think the classifieds and eBay as my retailer. It’s hard to find rarities and vintage stuff in stores. Plus, I don’t like paying taxes:) Up to date, I think I only bought two pairs from an actual retailer. But, if it really stands out, I’ll definitely look into it.




If it’s a rarity or vintage stuff, then I try to leave it be. But sometimes Oakley comes up with some bland colourways. This is when I delve into customization. But for the most part I try to leave my collection as original as possible.




Right now I only collect glasses. The reason why I don’t collect anything else but their glasses is because Oakley started out as a company producing grips and sunglasses. I would like to remain true to one of the two aspects. As Oakley became a larger company and started offering other articles of clothing and accessories, it’s hard to keep up with the brand. Money is also an issue because being a university student with a part-time job does not let me collect other offerings.




Car audio gear would be another hobby of mine. I used to work at another electronics store that dealt with high end car audio gear like Alpine, McIntosh, Focal, Xtant, and JL Audio. I was really into Alpine back in 2005 so I started ordering all their premium stuff. The markup is ridiculous so I had a huge discount. I still have most of the amps, head units, and speakers sitting in my room to be installed into my new car. On my desk while I am writing this profile is a set of three-component speakers that originally retailed for $4K from F#1 Status. Overkill equipment that lies in my closet would be a Dolby 5.1 DSP processor with a separate 5-channel amp and center speakers from F#1 Status. I thought about selling them from time-to-time but the clarity that is produced from these rival most. I would say before I started collecting Oakley, I would have continued collecting audio gear.




Jealousy is a dangerous attribute. Don’t collect for the sakes of out-competing someone. Instead, look into what you really desire and try to reach that accomplishment. At times when I see other members with collections ten times the size of mine, I would stop and reflect on my personal collection. Remember each pair as in not a number but how hard you had to work for to attain that one. Even though my collection is a modest one, I believe over the years I had put a lot of hard work and time to get where I am today.




My friends think I am crazy. My mom and my siblings think I’m also crazy. Am I really crazy???




Going to Puerto Vallarta last year and swimming in a dirty pool with a pair of $400 glasses was rather foolish.




I hope this has been an informative read about my little collection. Definitely want to thank Dann for my continuation into insanity.


posted by Dann
 
 
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oogie
paul mcj
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
Great write up and quality collection, Ken. A worthy addition to the collector spotlight!
oakdays
Jesus Hernandez
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
You do the collector’s spotlight justice, love the story and all the pictures you were able to post up they look great, now as for you collection very nice love those zeros of yours, congratulations and keep up the good work
DoctorCrip
Steve Weinraub
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
Great read, great photos and a great collection! Congratulations, bro and thanks for reviving the Collectors Spotlight! Keep up the great work!
Rick
Rick (The Doctor) Fawcett
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
What a great Spotlight! I really appreciated the advice you offered to new collectors. Congrats Ken.
TERRORISM
18K & FMJ
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
Great collection & great Spotlight, Ken! Congrats!

crmnjst
Now go home and get your shine box.
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
Nice collection man, and keep ou of dirty pools!
american image
science wrapped in art dealer
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
that was a good reading ! love the fact that you are a -car- audio lover too , i used to do that stuff into my cars too.
brings back memories....

you have a great collection, and you take really good pics of em also.

f.
O-Whores
Thread Killers
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
When you're proud of the pairs you own, regardless of how little or how many, no collection is modest. You have a stunning collection and show what a true Oakley fan you are. Awesome Spotlight, Ken.
warwagon
Mike Bahr
Nov 12, 2013 12:12 AM
Brilliant Spotlight and collection there Ken... the passion is strong. Thanks for stepping up and sharing with us.
 
 
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