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Comparison Men’s designer sunglasses

Persol 649 vs Persol 714 Folding: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Persol 649 if you want Italian heritage at a fair price. Buy the Persol 714 Folding instead if you want the McQueen folding.

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
Persol 714 Folding
Buy

Persol 714 Folding

Best for Folding icon

Typically $350–$450

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeaturePersol 649Persol 714 Folding
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$300–$400$350–$450
Best forClassic acetateFolding icon
Key featureTeardrop acetate with MeflectoFolding acetate
FrameAcetateAcetate
LensCrystalCrystal
FitMedium-wideMedium
Made inItalyItaly
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Frame

Persol 649: Acetate; Persol 714 Folding: Acetate.

Lens

Persol 649: Crystal; Persol 714 Folding: Crystal.

Fit

Persol 649: Medium-wide; Persol 714 Folding: Medium.

Made in

Persol 649: Italy; Persol 714 Folding: Italy.

Why buy it

Persol 649: teardrop acetate with Meflecto; Persol 714 Folding: folding acetate.

Made for

Persol 649: classic acetate; Persol 714 Folding: folding icon.

Usual price

Persol 649: $300–$400; Persol 714 Folding: $350–$450.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Persol 649 if you

  • you want Italian heritage at a fair price
  • value heritage
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Choose the Persol 714 Folding if you

  • you want the McQueen folding
  • value iconic
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

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
Jacques Marie Mage Zephirin

Jacques Marie Mage · Men’s designer sunglasses

Jacques Marie Mage Zephirin

Buy it if you want craft.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Collector
Typical price
$800–$1,000

Pros

  • Craft

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Persol 649 or Persol 714 Folding: which should I buy?

Buy the Persol 649 if you want Italian heritage at a fair price. Buy the Persol 714 Folding instead if you want the McQueen folding.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Persol 649 usually costs $300–$400 and the Persol 714 Folding $350–$450. 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 Persol 714 Folding: the full reasoning

Persol 649 or Persol 714 Folding? 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 Persol 714 Folding if you want the McQueen folding. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Persol 649 wins on teardrop acetate with Meflecto. The Persol 714 Folding answers with folding acetate. Frame: Acetate on the Persol 649, Acetate on the Persol 714 Folding. Lens: Crystal on the Persol 649, Crystal on the Persol 714 Folding. Fit: Medium-wide on the Persol 649, Medium on the Persol 714 Folding. Made in: Italy on the Persol 649, Italy on the Persol 714 Folding.

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 Persol 714 Folding

Iconic, Packable. What to accept: heavy. Usual price: $350–$450. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Persol 714 Folding 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 Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck ($450–$550): round acetate. Buy it if you want classic round.

Also consider the Jacques Marie Mage Zephirin ($800–$1,000): handmade frames. Buy it if you want craft.

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.