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Review Men’s designer sunglasses

Montblanc Aviator review: worth it or skip?

Buy7.6/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want business. Why: metal aviator. The catch: plain.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Montblanc Aviator

Our verdict on the Montblanc Aviator

Buy it if
you want business.
Skip it if
you want fashion.
Best for
Business aviator
Key feature
Metal aviator
Typical price
$400–$500
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

FrameMetal
LensUV400
FitMedium
Made inItaly

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want business
  • value fair
  • can spend around $400–$500

Skip it if you

  • you want fashion
  • mind this: plain

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fair

Cons

  • Plain

The verdict in one breath

The Montblanc Aviator is men’s designer sunglasses we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: metal aviator. In our list it is the pick for: business aviator.

Reasons to buy

  • Fair

Reasons to skip

  • Plain

The details that matter

  • Frame: Metal
  • Lens: UV400
  • Fit: Medium
  • Made in: Italy

Worth knowing

Business.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want business. Skip it if you want fashion; the Persol 714 Folding is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best men’s designer sunglasses.

Alternatives worth considering

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

Should I buy the Montblanc Aviator?

Buy it, if you want business. Why: metal aviator. The catch: plain.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want fashion. The Persol 714 Folding is the better buy then.

What does the Montblanc Aviator cost?

Usually $400–$500 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

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

Montblanc Aviator: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Montblanc Aviator worth the money? Short answer: buy it, if you want business. This review explains what this Montblanc piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which men’s designer sunglasses to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Montblanc Aviator does well

The headline: metal aviator. The details: Frame: Metal; Lens: UV400; Fit: Medium; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: business aviator. It usually sells for $400–$500 in the US.

Business.

The trade-offs

Good: fair. Not so good: plain. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want fashion.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Persol 714 Folding ($350–$450): folding acetate. Better if you want the McQueen folding.

Instead, consider the Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck ($450–$550): round acetate. Better if you want classic round.

Instead, consider the Tom Ford Snowdon ($450–$550): thick acetate. Better if you want bold.

Before you buy

Lenses: glass lenses (Persol, some Oliver Peoples) are scratch resistant and clear; polycarbonate is lighter and safer for sport. Hinges: spring hinges and metal core wires keep frames adjusted. Size: lens width usually runs 50–56 mm; match it to your face width.

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.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.