Persol 714SM Steve McQueen Review (2026)

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The Persol 714SM is the special edition version of the iconic 714 model. In this in-depth review, I’ll cover the design, construction, available colours, and what exactly sets the 714SM apart from the classic 714 to help you decide whether the Persol 714SM Steve McQueen is worth buying.

History & Legacy

The Persol 714SM Steve McQueen traces its roots back to the Persol 649, which was first introduced in 1957. While the 649 was originally designed for Turin tram drivers to protect their eyes from dust and sun, it quickly became a style icon owing to its adaptation in film.

A few years later, Persol introduced the Persol 714, which at the time were the world’s first foldable sunglasses. Steve McQueen famously wore them in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair.

But it was McQueen’s off-screen adoption of these sunglasses that truly popularized them.

As such, the modern 714SM “Steve McQueen Edition” is a homage to the legendary actor Steve McQueen and his love for Persol sunglasses!

This special edition features McQueen’s signature on the inside arm, an inward-folding mechanism like his originals, and often comes with his signature blue crystal lenses.

Design

Like the standard 714, the 714SM has a modern and streamlined front profile compared to the vintage-inspired 649. From the front, the 714SM looks identical to the standard 714, but a few key differences make it unique:

Temple Detailing – The Steve McQueen edition features additional silver arrows on the temples that cover the folding joints/hinge, giving the side profile a cleaner, more modern appearance compared to the standard 714, which has exposed folding joints.
Folding Mechanism – When folding the 714SM you’ll notice that the temples first fold inwards, while the temples on the standard 714 initially fold downward. This doesn’t affect durability or construction but adds a distinctive touch that sets the SM edition apart.

Note: One minor annoyance I noticed with the 714SM is that the temples rub slightly against the frame when folding them. It doesn’t cause any damage, but it’s something I found a bit irritating.

Other than that, the fit and feel of the 714SM sunglasses on the face is exactly the same as the standard 714’s which by the way are very comfortable.

Packaging

The 714SM comes in special packaging with a small black cardboard box with Persol and Steve McQueen Special Edition written on it. The sunglasses themselves are encased in a dark brown (faux?) leather pouch with Persol Steve McQueen embossed on it.

You also get a pamphlet with information regarding the sunglasses as well as a photo of Steve McQueen on it. Overall, the packaging is decent but nothing to write home about.

Colours

The 714 Steve McQueen edition come in unique colours which are typically not available in the standard 714 model. And I think that’s exactly what makes them worth buying.

I personally purchased these black 714SM’s because I got a fantastic deal on them which made them the same price as the standard 714’s. So I thought why not get the Steve McQueen version?

The main reason I think you would choose the 714SM is because of the unique and exclusive colours this special edition offers. If you just want to buy the standard black frames with dark grey lenses, then you’re better off getting the regular lower-cost 714. It really only makes sense to get the 714SM if you love the colours that are exclusive to the Steve McQueen edition.

Most versions of the 714 Steve McQueen are slightly more expensive than the standard 714. However, there are also rare versions — such as those with platinum-plated or 24k gold-plated lenses — that cost significantly more.

For fans of Steve McQueen, the 714SM can be a really special addition to a sunglasses collection. The additional arrows that cover the folding hinges on the temples are a great detail and, in my opinion, look much better than the standard 714 with its exposed hinges.

Overall, I think the 714SM is only really worth choosing over the 714 if you truly love the exclusive colours it’s available in.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this Persol 714SM review. The Persol 714SM Steve McQueen is definitely worth buying if you love the exclusive colours and unique design details. It offers the same great build quality as the standard 714, but with extra character and special-edition appeal.