Persol 649 & 714SM.
By Jonathan Campbell
The Persol brand name comes from the Italian, “Per il sol,” meaning “For the sun”. The brand was created in 1917 when engineer, photographer and aviator Giuseppe Ratti acquired historical optical shop Berry in Turin’s city centre. Because of his engineering background, Giuseppe wanted to create technically innovative frames […]
The Persol brand name comes from the Italian, “Per il sol,” meaning “For the sun”. The brand was created in 1917 when engineer, photographer and aviator Giuseppe Ratti acquired historical optical shop Berry in Turin’s city centre. Because of his engineering background, Giuseppe wanted to create technically innovative frames.
The three key developments that were unique to Persol were the Meflecto system, which gives the arms flexibility, the three-notch bridge which helps comfort and fit, and finally, the distinctive arrow hinges that give strength to the frames.
All three of these features can be found on the 649, which was designed for the tram drivers of Turin, to protect their eyes from the sun and dust. In fact, the number 649 comes from the number of the tram. It’s their unique functionality that makes the design so perfect. The glasses sit very comfortably, covering the wearer's whole eye.
The 649 shot to fame in 1957 when Marcello Mastroianni wore a pair in the film "Divorce Italian Style”. Then in 1968, Steve McQueen strolled onto the set of “The Thomas Crown Affair” wearing his own pair of Persols. He was wearing 714s, the folding version of the 649. He went on to wear 714s in Bullet, Le Mans and even The Getaway. There was a reason McQueen wore these glasses: they were stylish but ultimately they fitted and worked perfectly. He liked function and style.
I’ve been wearing 649s and 714s for the last thirty years (possibly longer) and not one pair has failed. I’ve lost a few, which is infuriating, but they always look good and function perfectly.
These sunglasses are true style icons – and to this day, they are still made by Italian craftsmen and women in Turin.
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Images. The Obsessive, Persol/Luxottica Group S.p.A
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