Mathis is the one man in these films who seems to have retired to the right place, and his sunglasses suit it. When Daniel Craig’s Bond finds him in Tuscany, the old agent is wearing a pair of Ray-Ban Caravan RB3136 sunglasses: a squared, slightly severe take on the aviator that looks as though it has been in the family for years. They are worth knowing because they are still in production, reasonably priced and easy to wear.
In the film
Giancarlo Giannini’s René Mathis wears them in Quantum of Solace (2008), in the scene where Bond visits him at Villa Le Torre in Talamone, southern Tuscany, and persuades him back into the game. The pair on screen has a silver frame, black temple tips and grey-green lenses. That silver version is no longer sold; Ray-Ban’s current US listing shows gold and gunmetal.
The details of the Ray-Ban Caravan RB3136 sunglasses
A squared aviator. The Caravan dates from 1957 and keeps the thin metal frame of the aviator, but swaps the tear-drop lens for a squarer, more geometric one. It reads as less pilot, more architect, and it is the main reason we prefer it to the standard Aviator on a man who dresses quietly.
G-15 green lenses. The lens is a dark green, and the Ray-Ban logo sits on it. It is a plain, unfussy choice that works with almost anything in a summer wardrobe.
Adjustable nose pads. A metal frame with adjustable pads can be tuned to the face, either by you or by an optician. Ray-Ban’s own listing mentions free personalised adjustments in store, which is worth using.
One size, and prescription if you need it. The current frames come in a single size, 58-15 (58mm lens, 15mm bridge). Ray-Ban can also fit them with prescription lenses.
Wearing it now
The right register is unhurried. The Caravan belongs with linen shirts, tan or stone chinos, a navy knit over the shoulders and loafers without socks. It suits long lunches in warm weather and drives with the window down more than it suits a city boardroom.
Which colour? The silver frame from the film has gone. Gunmetal is the nearest thing to it in the current range, and it is the one we would choose: cool, dark and discreet. The gold has a warmer look and, according to one retailer, tortoiseshell-style temple tips, which suits a tan or an olive jacket. Both carry the same green lenses.
Face shape. In our view the squared lens suits rounder and softer faces, adding a little structure. On a very angular face the effect can be severe, so try a pair on before you commit.
Looking after them. Keep them in the case, clean the lenses with the cloth rather than a shirt tail, and have the nose pads adjusted if they begin to slip.
Specifications
| Reference | RB3136 |
|---|---|
| Colour in the film | Silver frame, black temple tips, grey/green lenses (discontinued) |
| Colours currently listed | Polished Gunmetal; Polished Arista Gold (both with G-15 Green lenses) |
| Frame | Metal, with adjustable nose pads |
| Lenses | G-15 Green; prescription lenses available |
| Size | 58-15 |
| RRP | US$191 (RRP at the time of writing, October 2026) |
Full details are on Ray-Ban’s own page for the Caravan.
Questions
Who wears Ray-Ban Caravan sunglasses in Quantum of Solace?
René Mathis, played by Giancarlo Giannini, wears them. They appear in the scene where Bond visits him at Villa Le Torre in Talamone, Tuscany. Bond himself wears different sunglasses in that scene.
Can you still buy the silver Caravan from the film?
Not new from Ray-Ban. The silver frame with black temple tips is no longer part of the current range, which lists gunmetal and gold. For something close to the film pair, gunmetal is the nearest colour.
How much do Ray-Ban Caravan sunglasses cost?
Ray-Ban’s US RRP at the time of writing, October 2026, is US$191. Some retailers sell them for less.
How is the Caravan different from the Aviator?
The lens and frame are squarer, where the Aviator’s lens is tear-drop shaped. Both are thin metal frames, but the Caravan looks more geometric and a little more restrained.
