1) Exactly how many 1st Gen X-metal/Ruby JULIET were made? 5000 or more?
Well considering you have 12308 and I have 24559, i'm sure there are more than 5000 out there.
Yeah, I think so, too...Maybe those ones within 5000 are from the fist batch.
How about the rumor I mentioned? Do U have any idea if it's true or not?
From what I know, the guy called "Oakley Custom Maniac" have a batch of lenses for JULIET in later 2009 which is as good as it can be just like those 1st Gen deep red/purple ruby, and it's hydrophobic coated! So I guess this rumor is probably true?
My big worry is that when I get replacement lenses, they won't be this same color shading... I don't like how I have seen some ruby lately that is close to fire and I don't like that.
I saw your Pictures today...They are not that deep red/purple. the one from Funky-Trixtar is one badass ruby, which is very hard to come by even back in 1999!
But, a good pair of 1st Gen Ruby JULIET is considered to be almost all deep red with some purple/purple red in the center while only a little orange/yellow at area close to the edge when U place one of the lenses straight toward your vision!
Besides, those authentic 1st Gen ruby (especially the deep red/purple ones) is much hard to find now. Even if U do, usually it'll cost U a lot to get one!
I don't know if my friends still have some spare pair stalled away or not...I guess I'll let U know when I do find one!