Product: Oakley Goes Underground

 
Chilean miners chill in Oakleys



A rescued Chilean miner almost strikes a 'Mick Fanning'
victory pose in his donated Oakley sunglasses.

I don’t know about you, but I noticed all the Chilean miners being rescued this past week were sporting highly fashionable Oakley Radar Sunglasses as the they came to the surface. So I thought I would do a little more investigating and dig a bit deeper [pun intended].


As it turns out, the 33 Chilean miners who were brought to surface after 2 months of being trapped underground, were all wearing donated Oakley sunglasses - specifically to protect their eyes after such a long period in the dark. Oakley is an Orange County based, Californian company.


After the rescue, an Oakley spokesperson reported that “A few weeks ago, Oakley was approached by a Chilean journalist who was covering rescue efforts for media agency, Addict Village, had recommended Oakley to the Chilean private health insurer, for eyewear protection for the miners once they surfaced,” the company said.

Apart from their generous goodwill, Oakley appears to have pulled off quite a marketing coup with their donation to the miners - as the rescue of the miners was beamed live around the entire world, with an estimated audience of over one billion people tuned in.


The US$180-a-pair Radar Range sunglasses were specifically selected for the miners by Oakley Vice President of Research and Development Carlos Reyes because they have black iridium lenses for greatest protection, said company spokesman Rochelle Mooers.

With more than a billion people watching live, Chilean
miners all wore Oakleys on their return to the surface.

“Based on their requirements and full product specifications, Oakley donated 35 pairs of Oakley Radar with Black Iridium lenses in Path and Range lens shapes for the miners who will need the protection… as their eyes return to normal.”


The miners’ eyes will be dilated, which brings the added risk of UV exposure to delicate structures within the eye, the company said. The Radar sunglasses have a single-lens shield that wraps around the eyes to give the miners protection from sunlight not just straight ahead but at the sides of their eyes.


The Radar frames were matched with Oakley’s darkest lens, a dark grey base combined with black iridium coating that balances light and reduces glare. The miners’ color perception may be reduced after the long period in dim light, and this lens is designed to maintain accurate color perception, Oakley explained.


Oakley also reported that Chilean Minister of Mining Laurence Golborne, who was leading the rescue, requested to wear one of the extra pair of the Radars to show solidarity, As one observer later wise-cracked; "who wouldn't say 'no' to a free pair of Oakleys?".


Footnote: Oakley recently signed 23yr old, South African ripper, Jordy Smith to the Global Oakley Surf Team. Smith is currently rated Number Two in the World.


Source and photos: Orange County Register and Oakley


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