persol
Turin, since 1917. 18 pieces in stock.
Persol, since 1917
Born in Turin
Giuseppe Ratti patents the Meflecto, the first flexible temple. The Persol name is in use from this time.
The Mini Coopers of The Italian Job race past an illuminated Persol advertisement.
Luxottica acquires Persol, which still makes frames at its historic factory near Turin.
Look for the silver arrow on the temple. It started as a functional hinge and became the house signature.
The 714 is the folding version of the 649. Steve McQueen wore a light havana pair with blue lenses in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). The 649 was made in 1957 for Turin's tram drivers. Marcello Mastroianni later wore it in Divorce, Italian Style. From Persol's 2015 Typewriter Edition: the temple tips are engraved like the type bars of a vintage typewriter. From the Calligrapher Edition, inspired by the art of calligraphy. Master calligrapher Paul Antonio was the face of the campaign. From Persol's capsule for La Casa de Papel (Money Heist). The PO3235S is called El Profesor Sergio, after the series' Professor.
Older frames are often stamped Ratti and Meflecto on the inside of the temples. Early labels carry the stork, the symbol of founder Giuseppe Ratti. The silver Supreme Arrow sits across the hinge. Its shape changed over the decades, which helps place a frame in its era. Inside the temples you usually find the model code, the colour code and three numbers for the size: lens width, bridge and temple length, in millimetres.
What is Meflecto on a Persol?
Meflecto is the flexible temple that Giuseppe Ratti patented in 1938. Vintage Persol frames are often stamped Meflecto on the inside of the temple.
