Most sunglasses have a shelf life. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer RB2140 South Africa buyers ask for by name has been in production, in essentially the same shape, for over seventy years. It has survived the collapse of its own popularity in the 1970s, a comeback built on 1980s cinema, and every trend cycle since — without being redesigned to keep up. Here’s what the model codes actually mean, how to choose between the two sizes, and where to buy a genuine pair.
The Wayfarer Story: 1952 to Now
Ray-Ban introduced the Wayfarer in 1952, credited to designer Raymond Stegeman. It was a genuine break from what came before. Where eyewear had been built around thin metal frames, the Wayfarer used moulded acetate — a material newly practical at the time — to create something chunky, angular and forward-raked. Nothing else looked like it.
It became the default pair for two decades, then fell out of favour badly through the 1970s as metal aviators took over. The revival came through film. The Blues Brothers in 1980 and Risky Business in 1983 put the frame back in front of a generation that hadn’t grown up with it, and by the mid-1980s it was everywhere again.
What’s unusual is what Ray-Ban did next, which was very little. The RB2140 sold today is recognisably the same object as the 1950s original — same rake, same angled temples, same proportions. Ray-Ban has been part of Luxottica (now EssilorLuxottica) since 1999, and the model has stayed in continuous production throughout.
What the 901 Code Actually Means
Ray-Ban colour codes look like admin, but understanding them stops you from buying the wrong pair:
- 901 — gloss black frame, G-15 green lenses, non-polarised. The classic.
- 901/58 — the same black frame, but with polarised lenses.
- 902 — tortoise frame.
- 901S — black frame in a matte finish.
If you’re comparing prices across sites and one listing looks unusually cheap, check the code before anything else. You may be looking at a different lens entirely.
The G-15 Lens Is the Underrated Part
G-15 was developed for aviation use, and the brief was straightforward: cut glare hard without distorting what the wearer sees.
It transmits roughly 15% of visible light — properly dark — while keeping colour close to true. Reds stay red, greens stay green. Many cheaper tinted lenses shift everything toward blue or brown, and you stop noticing until you take them off. G-15 has outlasted seven decades of lens development for exactly that reason.
Worth being clear: the base 901 is not polarised. For everyday wear, that’s the classic choice, and it plays well with car dashboards and phone screens. If you spend a lot of time driving into low sun or near water, look at the 901/58 instead.
50mm or 54mm? The Decision Most Buyers Get Wrong
The RB2140 comes in two sizes, and this trips up more people than anything else about the frame.
The 50mm is the smaller of the two. It sits closer to the original 1950s proportions — more compact, less of the oversized look — and suits narrower and medium faces. It’s usually the size people actually want when they say they’re after a vintage-looking Wayfarer.
The 54mm is the bolder version. Better for broader faces, and for anyone who wants the frame to be the loudest thing they’re wearing.
One quirk worth knowing: the two sizes don’t simply scale up and down. The 50mm uses a wider bridge than the 54mm, so the fit difference isn’t only about lens width. If you’ve tried the 54 and found it sliding down your nose, the 50 may fit better than the number suggests.
Not sure which way to go? Measure a pair you already own and like — the lens width is usually printed on the inside of the left temple arm.
Why Choose the RB2140?
- A design that doesn’t date: Seventy years in production with no redesign is the strongest argument any frame can make.
- Genuinely unisex: The 50mm in particular works across the board — no styling assumptions built in.
- G-15 colour accuracy: Properly dark without changing what you’re looking at.
- Full UV protection: Ray-Ban lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB.
- One pair for everything: It works with a suit and with a swimsuit, which very few frames manage.
Who Is This Frame For?
- Anyone who wants one pair that works with everything, rather than a rotation
- Buyers who want genuine heritage, not a frame that references it
- First-time buyers stepping up to a proper pair for the first time
- Gift shoppers — the 50mm’s unisex sizing makes it a safe choice
- Anyone with a narrower or medium face who finds most modern frames too large
It’s a weaker fit if you need polarisation for driving or fishing, or if you have a broad face and want full coverage. Both have better answers elsewhere in the Ray-Ban range.
Wayfarer vs Other Ray-Ban Classics
Where the Aviator is softer and more traditionally masculine, and the Clubmaster leans retro-intellectual with its browline construction, the Wayfarer sits squarely in the middle — bold enough to be noticed, neutral enough to wear daily. The New Wayfarer (RB2132) is a related but distinct model, with a slightly softer, less angular shape and a narrower fit. If the RB2140 feels too assertive when you try it on, the RB2132 is the usual next stop.
Caring for Acetate Frames
Acetate is durable but not indestructible. Store the pair in its case when it isn’t on your face, clean the lenses with a microfibre cloth rather than a shirt hem, and never leave them on a car dashboard — heat is what warps acetate frames and loosens hinges over time. Rinse them with fresh water after a day at the coast, since salt is quietly abrasive.
Buying Authentic Ray-Ban Eyewear in South Africa
Wayfarers are among the most counterfeited sunglasses in the world, and the fakes have improved. The shape is easy to copy. The lens quality, the hinge construction, and the actual UV protection are not. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that genuine UV protection is one of the most important — and most frequently faked — features in sunglasses. A convincing counterfeit can leave your eyes worse off than no sunglasses at all, because dark lenses widen your pupils without blocking anything.
Oculux is an authorised Ray-Ban retailer in South Africa, which means every pair sold is:
- 100% authentic and verified
- Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty
- Delivered free within 2–3 business days, with overnight delivery to main cities available
- Covered by a 30-day returns policy
With over 12,000 happy customers and a strong Trustpilot reputation, Oculux is a trusted destination for genuine Ray-Ban eyewear — not a guess bought off a marketplace listing.
People Also Ask — Ray-Ban Wayfarer RB2140
What does 901 mean on Ray-Ban Wayfarers?
901 is Ray-Ban’s colour code for a gloss black frame with non-polarised G-15 green lenses. The variant 901/58 is the same frame with polarised lenses, and 902 is the tortoise version.
Is the RB2140 50mm or 54mm better?
The 50mm is smaller and closer to the original 1950s proportions, suiting narrower and medium faces. The 54mm is bolder and better for broader faces. The two sizes also use different bridge widths, so fit differs by more than lens size alone.
Are Ray-Ban RB2140 Wayfarers polarised?
The standard 901 is not polarised. If you want polarised lenses in the same black frame, look for the 901/58 code.
What’s the difference between the Wayfarer and the New Wayfarer?
The original Wayfarer (RB2140) has a more angular, forward-raked shape. The New Wayfarer (RB2132) is softer, slightly narrower, and fits smaller faces more easily.
Where can I buy authentic Ray-Ban Wayfarers in South Africa?
Oculux is an authorised Ray-Ban retailer in South Africa, offering genuine stock, a 2-year manufacturer warranty, free delivery in 2–3 business days, and a 30-day returns policy.
Shop the Ray-Ban Wayfarer at Oculux
Ready to own the original? Shop the Ray-Ban Wayfarer RB2140 901 50 directly, explore the full Ray-Ban range at Oculux, or browse our complete sunglasses collection to compare. Still deciding on a shape? Our face shape guide will point you in the right direction. Every pair from Oculux is authentic, backed by a warranty, and delivered fast across South Africa.