Persol Sunglasses: YAY or NAY? Check out Persol’s Collection of Sunglasses:
Sunglasses worn by yours truly:
Steve McQueen -
714 -
649 -
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Gentleman's Gazette
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It was started in 191 by Guiseppe Ratti as a luxury sunglass brand focusing on athletes and aviators. In the 1930, Persol was responsible for a leap forward in the sunglass world by introducing what they call the Maflecto System. Basically, it is a flexible metal item inside the temple that is constructed in a way so it is flexible and it adjusts more to your head shape so you do not have pressure points that are uncomfortable.
In 1957, Persol created the model 649. It was designed for tram drivers in Milan. The idea was that the large frame protected them from light and dust. Looking back, the model 64 clearly marked the beginning of Persol as a fashion sunglass brand even though at the time, they did not see themselves as that. I mean, just look at those sunglasses, don't they want to make you be a tram driver in Milan?
A little later in the 60s, model 714 was introduced to the market which had a novelty in the sense that it could be folded. Apart from minor changes, it is basically the model 649 that can be folded. Persol sunglasses debuted in the US in 1962. By 1968, Steve McQueen famously wore them in the movie "Thomas Crown Affair". The model was the caramel brown acetate with the light blue lenses which I have here right now, as well. This appearance really put Persol on the map and the 741 style became synonymous with the brand Persol which is why we are reviewing that specific model and not all the others that they offer today.
So why are Persol sunglasses still so famous? Basically, it comes down to star power. Apart from Steve McQueen in the 60s and 70s, Jay-Z, Pierce Brosnan, and Ryan Gosling are all big fans of Persol sunglasses these days.
Overall, they are worn by the public no matter young or old and it is truly one of those items that have not gone out of style in the last 50 or 60 years. No matter if you like the classic 649 style or the foldable 714, the designs have not changed much since the 1960s and it is just a popular sunglass choice with all kinds of people.
So of all those styles, they are so similar, why are reviewing three different pairs of sunglasses? Well, first of all, the 649 is the least expensive version, it is the entry version, it is the oldest version and it is not collapsible. Also, if you compare the three frames, it is a little more straight in the front and less angled than the 714 and the Steve McQueen. Otherwise, in terms of shape and height, they are pretty much the same. The entry price of the 649 is $260 and you have to add $50 for polarized lenses. If you want to go with the 714, you have to add $60 to that so basically, the price is $320 and $370 for polarized lenses. If you want the original Steve McQueen model, you have to shell out $480. To make the 714 collapsible, you have a hinge in the middle an you can bend down the temples of the sunglasses. Now, the Steve McQueen one is slightly different in the sense that you fold the temples towards the sunglass lenses. Also, if you look at the temples, the 714 and the 649 have that arrow design that points away from the frame versus the Steve McQueen pair of sunglasses have a total of three arrows that go to, backwards, and one forward. Actually, that's a really small detail on the Steve McQueen sunglasses so unless you like the color combinations of the Steve McQueen models and dislike the others, I do not think it is worth the extra mark up.
Now that brings us to the main question, is it worth it?
Watch the video to find out or VERDICT! :)
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