Ray-Ban RB-3 Lenses: Message in a Bottle

Ray-Ban loves to time the release of their new products to significant events. Naturally, the brand couldn't ignore its own anniversary!

Brown (B-15) and green (G-15) lenses are not the only classics in Ray-Ban's range of sunglasses. To these colors, another shade of green joined in the early days of the brand's history.

This is the vintage shade of the RB-3 lens.

About Pilots

The RB-3 lens appeared in the first Aviator models in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was created specifically for the U.S. military, perfectly combining the ability to block direct sunlight and harmful UV rays while protecting sensitive eyes.

These characteristics allowed pilots to see objects as clearly as possible in the brightest sunlight.



The peaks of the lens's popularity were in the 1940s, 1960s, and 1980s. It’s worth noting that the presence of RB-3 lenses in Ray-Ban models was typical during the period when the brand was owned by Bausch & Lomb. Today, however, they are rarely seen.

The Bottle Game

RB-3 has a distinctly green color, reminiscent of bottle glass. Considering the time the lens appeared, it has a limited but satisfying set of characteristics that can confidently be called classic:

• Material: mineral glass (very strong, scratch-resistant);

• Transmission of 29% visible light (second, medium level of tinting), making the sunglasses versatile for any weather conditions;

• No color distortion;

• 100% UV protection;

• Compliance with U.S. government impact resistance standards;

• Exceeds ANSI optical standards.



At different times, RB-3 lenses were featured in models like Aviator, Round Metal, Caravan, and Shooter. Unfortunately, today they can only be found on websites like Amazon, E-bay, and vintage markets.

But this is no reason to lose hope that Ray-Ban, as it has done many times before, will return to the well-forgotten old and delight us once again with the bottle-colored lens!