Ray-Ban Cockpit: the “Junior” Aviator
It’s hard to create something new without looking back at the trusted, well-tested old. This simple truth seems to lie at the core of Ray-Ban’s ideology: the brand often creates new models by easily modifying or perfecting the already existing ones. Laramie and Caribbean were created based on Wayfarer, and Cathy was inspired by Clubmaster…
Of course, Aviator didn’t go unnoticed, and their derivative became the Ray-Ban Cockpit model.
In the Pilot's Seat
Ray-Ban Cockpit belongs to the brand’s “Highstreet” class. This name wasn’t chosen by accident, as all the glasses in this line are reflections of city life and perfect representatives of the casual style.
As for the name of this model, "Cockpit" translates to “pilot’s seat” from English, which directly references Ray-Ban’s first models, released for pilots in 1937. The similarity, of course, isn’t limited to the name. Cockpit borrowed the classic teardrop shape from Aviator, making it smaller and more refined.
Interestingly, Cockpit is one of the few Ray-Ban sunglasses that aren’t made in Italy, but in China. However, this doesn’t make them any less high-quality.
Distinct Features
It’s worth mentioning that the Highstreet line focuses on modernity and comfort, predominantly opting for plastic frames and polycarbonate lenses in its models.
That’s why Cockpit stands out from its class counterparts. These glasses feature a thin metal frame in silver or gold, making them lightweight and subtle in appearance. Additionally, the model is now available in a carbon frame, weighing no more than 15 grams, which offers incredible strength and resistance to damage (thanks to the flexibility of the material).
The lenses are made of mineral glass, in the best tradition of classic Aviator models. And the lens technologies used in this model are numerous: you can find mirror, polarized (maximally reduces glare), and gradient lenses (color fades from intense to light).
Thanks to the variety of colors available in Cockpit and the versatility of the shape (a smaller “teardrop” shape suits almost all face types), this model is popular today among both men and women of different statuses and ages. Many stars have been spotted wearing them: Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Penélope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Neil Patrick Harris, and many others.
If you love Aviators but are looking for something more compact and perhaps a bit brighter, then the “junior” pilots Ray-Ban Cockpit are just what you need! :)