Persol 714 Steve McQueen Eyewear Collection

Back in 1968, audiences in different parts of the globe poured into theaters to watch The Thomas Crown Affair. That was a highly expected blockbuster, one of those starring the magnificent Steve McQueen. Little did all those people expect to catch a glimpse of something more than just a thrilling heist story—Persol's revolutionary folding sunglasses. They accompanied Steve every step of the movie. A luxurious pair of Havana aviators, graceful as a sculpture, that cool mysterious sheen in their blue lenses. They created a real stir among eyewear connoisseurs. From the very first scene that introduced McQueen's character digging through cemetery garbage for bags of stolen cash being all class and style to the mad sequences of riding a dune buggy and piloting that yellow glider, the model, which turned out to be Persol 714, suddenly became everyone's favorite.

At first, nobody really planned to include this particular pair in the film. It was just a matter of coincidence—one day, McQueen just casually showed up at the set and this rare piece was right there on his nose (he had just brought it to America from one of his European trips). The exclusive charm of the shades was so obvious, so striking that they ended up featured in The Thomas Crown Affair, as well as some other of the later movies with the actor in the leading role. Today, after 55 years, the model is back as the heart and soul of the limited Persol 714 Steve McQueen collection, paying tribute to the iconic folding aviators as well as the legendary actor who had in no small part helped popularize Persol as a brand in the U.S.

Taking a closer look at the Persol 714 Steve McQueen collection, the first model to note is the basic Black with Polarized Gray lenses. Sleek, elegant, and commanding, these are the frames you can't go wrong with, and it doesn't really matter if you're wearing a McQueen-style three-piece suit or just chilling by the sea. The signature Persol arrows at the hinges are crafted in white, with white accents also mirrored in the temples and the branding. Not only are these sunglasses foldable, but they are also highly flexible on their own thanks to the use of Persol's patented Meflecto system.

Instead of having a single solid core wire for their base, the temples in Persol glasses are made of tiny cylinders that allow for slight bending and adjustments to fit your particular face shape. As a result, none of the brand's frames cause any pressure on your head and wrap around with a skin-like comfort. Just like another model from the collection, in Opal Yellow with Polarized Gradient Blue lenses. The two colors play beautifully off each other, creating a look that never loses an ounce of its sophistication despite its cheerful vibrancy. The gradient in the lenses shrouds your eyes with an extra layer of comfort, reducing the strain and improving visibility.