The first few moments of Mission: Impossible II, and Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, flaunting a pair of Oakley Romeo sunglasses, which, over the years, has been hailed as a piece of iconic cinema as well as a style glitch. These futuristic shades not only matched Hunt’s bombastic persona but also were quite significant in the story, hiding a self-destructing mission briefing that would set the movie’s tone for thrill-a-minute experiences.
1997, however, was the year in which Oakley finally introduced the Romeo from its X-Metal series. The frame was designed using titanium alloy material, which is strong yet very light. Avante-garde sculpting wraps round styling. Each pair is uniquely serialized so as to add to the exclusive rarity and, therefore, appeal to collectors.
Cruise’s choice of eyewear in M:I-2 wasn’t just a fashion decision; it was a brilliant piece of merchandising of the star. Immediately after the film, Oakley saw a massive jump in sales, and the Romeo model stood out from the rest. Indeed, much like the increase in the sales of the Ray-Ban Wayfarers after Cruise’s riskiness in Risky Business and of the Aviators post-Top Gun.
Frame Specifications:
Model Name: Romeo
Frame Material: X-Metal Titanium Alloy
Lens Color: Black Iridium
Frame Color: Plasma (Matte Grey)
Lens Technology: High-impact resistance with UV protection
Fit: Wraparound for a secure, aggressive look
Special Features: Vented lenses for airflow, serialized for uniqueness
Launch Year: 1997 (Discontinued)
Manufacturer: Oakley
Today, such original Oakley Romeo sunglasses would be termed collector pieces, usually quoting very hefty prices at resale sites. Because they are considered to be from the action-oriented Mission: Impossible II, alongside their innovative design, they will highly likely be regarded as a timeless piece of film fashion history. For both enthusiasts and fans, the Oakley Romeo ought symbolically to be the iconic marker of early 2000s action cinema and the still-powerful legacy of Tom Cruise in film. Visit EyeOns to choose from a wide assortment of Oakley sunglasses: https://www.eyeons.com/brands/oakley/sunglasses/.