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Comparison Men’s designer sunglasses

Cartier Santos Sunglasses vs Persol 649: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Cartier Santos Sunglasses if you want luxury metal. Buy the Persol 649 instead if you want Italian heritage at a fair price.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Cartier Santos Sunglasses
Buy

Cartier Santos Sunglasses

Best for Luxury aviator

Typically $1,200–$1,800

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Persol 649
Buy

Persol 649

Best for Classic acetate

Typically $300–$400

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureCartier Santos SunglassesPersol 649
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$1,200–$1,800$300–$400
Best forLuxury aviatorClassic acetate
Key featureMetal aviator with screwsTeardrop acetate with Meflecto
FrameMetalAcetate
LensUV400Crystal
FitMediumMedium-wide
Made inFranceItaly
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Frame

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: Metal; Persol 649: Acetate.

Lens

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: UV400; Persol 649: Crystal.

Fit

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: Medium; Persol 649: Medium-wide.

Made in

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: France; Persol 649: Italy.

Why buy it

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: metal aviator with screws; Persol 649: teardrop acetate with Meflecto.

Made for

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: luxury aviator; Persol 649: classic acetate.

Usual price

Cartier Santos Sunglasses: $1,200–$1,800; Persol 649: $300–$400.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Cartier Santos Sunglasses if you

  • you want luxury metal
  • value superb
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Choose the Persol 649 if you

  • you want Italian heritage at a fair price
  • value heritage
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best men’s designer sunglasses.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Persol 714 Folding

Persol · Men’s designer sunglasses

Persol 714 Folding

Buy it if you want the McQueen folding.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Folding icon
Typical price
$350–$450

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Packable

Cons

  • Heavy
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck

Oliver Peoples · Men’s designer sunglasses

Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck

Buy it if you want classic round.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Round classic
Typical price
$450–$550

Pros

  • Quality

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Cartier Santos Sunglasses or Persol 649: which should I buy?

Buy the Cartier Santos Sunglasses if you want luxury metal. Buy the Persol 649 instead if you want Italian heritage at a fair price.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Cartier Santos Sunglasses usually costs $1,200–$1,800 and the Persol 649 $300–$400. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Cartier Santos Sunglasses or Persol 649: the full reasoning

Cartier Santos Sunglasses or Persol 649? Both are strong men’s designer sunglasses, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Cartier Santos Sunglasses if you want luxury metal, and buy the Persol 649 if you want Italian heritage at a fair price. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Cartier Santos Sunglasses wins on metal aviator with screws. The Persol 649 answers with teardrop acetate with Meflecto. Frame: Metal on the Cartier Santos Sunglasses, Acetate on the Persol 649. Lens: UV400 on the Cartier Santos Sunglasses, Crystal on the Persol 649. Fit: Medium on the Cartier Santos Sunglasses, Medium-wide on the Persol 649. Made in: France on the Cartier Santos Sunglasses, Italy on the Persol 649.

Reasons to buy the Cartier Santos Sunglasses

Superb. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $1,200–$1,800. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Cartier Santos Sunglasses review.

Reasons to buy the Persol 649

Heritage, Crystal lenses. What to accept: large. Usual price: $300–$400. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Persol 649 review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best men’s designer sunglasses has every other piece with its own call. Lenses: glass lenses (Persol, some Oliver Peoples) are scratch resistant and clear; polycarbonate is lighter and safer for sport.

Also consider the Persol 714 Folding ($350–$450): folding acetate. Buy it if you want the McQueen folding.

Also consider the Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck ($450–$550): round acetate. Buy it if you want classic round.

Buyer tip

An optician can adjust temples and nose pads for free in most cases; ask when you buy.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT, and many Italian and French makers of sunglasses, gloves and leather goods sell for less at home than in the US. Check the warranty and repair service before buying across borders.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.