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Comparison Men’s designer sunglasses

Persol 649 vs Moscot Lemtosh: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Persol 649 if you want Italian heritage at a fair price. Buy the Moscot Lemtosh instead if you want NYC heritage.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Persol 649
Buy

Persol 649

Best for Classic acetate

Typically $300–$400

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Moscot Lemtosh
Buy

Moscot Lemtosh

Best for NYC heritage

Typically $330–$400

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeaturePersol 649Moscot Lemtosh
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$300–$400$330–$400
Best forClassic acetateNYC heritage
Key featureTeardrop acetate with MeflectoClassic acetate
FrameAcetateAcetate
LensCrystalUV400
FitMedium-wideMedium
Made inItalyVaries by line
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Frame

Persol 649: Acetate; Moscot Lemtosh: Acetate.

Lens

Persol 649: Crystal; Moscot Lemtosh: UV400.

Fit

Persol 649: Medium-wide; Moscot Lemtosh: Medium.

Made in

Persol 649: Italy; Moscot Lemtosh: Varies by line.

Why buy it

Persol 649: teardrop acetate with Meflecto; Moscot Lemtosh: classic acetate.

Made for

Persol 649: classic acetate; Moscot Lemtosh: NYC heritage.

Usual price

Persol 649: $300–$400; Moscot Lemtosh: $330–$400.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Persol 649 if you

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

Choose the Moscot Lemtosh if you

  • you want NYC heritage
  • value fair price
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

Persol 649 or Moscot Lemtosh: which should I buy?

Buy the Persol 649 if you want Italian heritage at a fair price. Buy the Moscot Lemtosh instead if you want NYC heritage.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Persol 649 usually costs $300–$400 and the Moscot Lemtosh $330–$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

Persol 649 or Moscot Lemtosh: the full reasoning

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

Where they differ

The Persol 649 wins on teardrop acetate with Meflecto. The Moscot Lemtosh answers with classic acetate. Frame: Acetate on the Persol 649, Acetate on the Moscot Lemtosh. Lens: Crystal on the Persol 649, UV400 on the Moscot Lemtosh. Fit: Medium-wide on the Persol 649, Medium on the Moscot Lemtosh. Made in: Italy on the Persol 649, Varies by line on the Moscot Lemtosh.

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.

Reasons to buy the Moscot Lemtosh

Fair price. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $330–$400. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Moscot Lemtosh 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.