A rare, most iconic pair of sunglasses by legendary Persol Ratti-Italy, an original design by Giuseppe Ratti himself, produced in the original Persol-Ratti, Turin-Italy factory in the 70's, before getting under the ownership of "Luxottica Group-Italy" much sought after by collectors and users alike.

Size Medium-Large,

Measurements:

Temple stem length: 140mm,

Lenses width: 53mm,

Lenses height: 36mm,

Nose bridge: 21mm,

FULL FRONT WIDTH: 142mm.


Hand made exotic turtle brown Italian Acetate frame, elegantly embellished with silver Persol symbols (Phoenix arrow, bar rivets), equipped with flat Meflecto flexible hinge systems, all in a delightfully modernist frame architecture.

Fitted with smokey brown, laser engraved, original Persol mineral (industrial Sapphire) sun lenses, quoted "best quality optics" lenses by Optics World Magazine, lenses alone are worth $220, in excellent condition, presenting proper markings, comes with original quality hard case and microfiber lens cloth.

Estimated collection value $375-$400, offered here for a more affordable price.

A bit of Persol history:
Founded in 1917 by Italian photographer Giuseppe Ratti, Persol is one of the world's oldest eyewear brands. Its name derives from the Italian phrase per il sole, meaning "for the sun". Initially crafted for pilots and race car drivers, the brand became a global pop-culture icon when actor Steve McQueen famously wore the folding 714 model in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

Key Milestones & Innovations
Persol revolutionized the eyewear industry through advanced mechanical engineering, blending optical functionality with luxury fashion.1917 - The Protector: Giuseppe Ratti developed the "Protector" glasses in Turin, Italy. Featuring circular smoked lenses and a rubber frame, they were immediately adopted by the Italian Army and Air Force.

1930s - The Meflecto System: Ratti introduced the world's first flexible stem system. By inserting small metal cylinders into the acetate arms, the glasses were designed to adapt to the wearer's head shape, preventing painful pinching.

1938 - The Persol Name: After decades of innovation, the brand officially adopted the name Persol.

The Silver Arrow: Inspired by the swords of ancient warriors, the iconic silver arrow logo was introduced to reinforce the temples and quickly became the brand's signature trademark.

1957 - The 649 Series: Originally designed to protect Turin's tram drivers from dust and glare, this model later transitioned from a utilitarian tool into a cinematic icon.

1968 - The 714 Folding Model: Engineered for ultimate convenience, the 714 became the world's first folding glass, requiring 10 additional manufacturing steps.Hollywood & Pop CulturePersol’s long "filmography" and association with cinema began in the 1960s. The brand gained widespread, lasting appeal when legendary actor Steve McQueen sported his personal 714s on the set of The Thomas Crown Affair.
Over the decades, Persol has been a go-to for major stars—such as Marcello Mastroianni, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, and Pierce Brosnan. Additionally, the brand partnered with high-profile personalities, including model Carol Alt and footballer Alessandro Del Piero, to release exclusive, personalized frame models.
Modern Era In 1995, Persol entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Luxottica, the global leader in eyewear. Despite joining a larger corporate family, Persol sunglasses continue to be meticulously handcrafted in Italy using naturally derived cellulose acetate.

Today, Persol remains an emblem of "Made in Italy" sophistication, preserving its core heritage of optical excellence and timeless design while updating its classic models with slimmer profiles and modern polarized lens technology.

It is our mission to bring to you quality name brand frames, and in the process offer you exceptional 5 star customer service! If for any reason, we fail to reach this goal, please EMAIL us immediately before leaving negative or neutral feedback, and we will find the best solution towards offering you satisfaction.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with additional questions or requests for extra pics, we will gladly oblige.

Thank you for visiting with us and please accept our invitation to leisurely peruse thru the rest of our fine quality items!