JotunheimLuxottica has a plant in China, I'm sure many of the Ray-Ban frames are made there now. You can reach out to them directly to confirm that this model should have the China tag.
JotunheimI have an optometrist who is a good friend, and he recently told me that by his estimate, unfortunately more than 90% of eyeglasses now are made by Luxottica (he was talking about 'big brand' eyeglasses, not necessarily 'boutique' eyeglasses made in small batches by hand, by specialized artisans).
Luxottica not only owns dozens of eyeglasses brands, but also manufactures, under license, eyeglasses for dozens of other brands. They also own retailers like Sunglasses Hut.
Really they now own this market, which is not good for the consumers as they can basically now dictate prices while selling you crappier and crappier products. They also have a bully approach towards optometrists and force them to carry - or drop - certain brands and will pressure them not to discount too much.
And, lo and behold, this company, which used to make frames pretty much all over the world, is now increasingly relocating manufacturing to China (even for premium brands such as Ray-Ban) - while keeping the same high prices as when those products were made in the USA, France, Italy, Germany, etc. In other words, the savings are not passed on to the consumers.
Luxottica is the sad poster child for what happens when one company is left unchecked to do what they want, and little by little come to own a market.
I'm not in favor of regulating everything in any market, but at the same time I'm not in favor of having so few checks and balances so as to allow one company to slowly build and hold a monopoly; they are essentially then able to do whatever they please with consumers, including predatory tactics, while consumers have pretty much no other alternatives than to let themselves be screwed up.
Jotunheim69Oh, good to know! That may mean Luxottica is still making those in a few different places; I am assuming the Italian made ones go to 'premium' outlets and stores, while the China made ones, are - again assuming - sold via discount stores (e.g. Costo) or factory outlet types of retailers. I'll ask my optometrist friend!
BobrazCoincidentally, I just purchased a pair of Clubmasters from my Optometrist before I saw this drop. I had the exact same question, and I can answer this for you. There are several manufacturing locations, the ones made in China come is two different qualities. One that feels like a plastic composite and another that feels like its made of aluminum or another sturdy metal. The Italian made one is their "Artisan" line. The "Artisan" line is also made of the metal/aluminum feeling frames and have a different hinge as well. They also feel like a different pair of glasses on your face. All in all, the artisan line is an easy recommendation. Now, as far as who sells what. Optomotrists seem to have access to all variations of the club master, but just like you said higher end retail stores are going to be only selling the artisan line and maybe the all metal made in china variations.
This one on display looks to actually be the made in china variation that feels like it is made of some form of plastic composite part of the reason is because of the tortoise shell frame which is typically made of some form of plastic component. Still for $75, if you are due for your yearly eye exam through your vision insurance you can probably get free lenses for these. So for $75 for a complete pair of not fake Ray-Ban glasses, is a pretty good deal.