Any idea what the hat weave is?

[daizawaguy]

This is a Borsalino Optimo. On their site it says Montecristi but according to a local salesperson this is not a Montecristi. It looks quite different too. Very fine and light and different from a Montecristi weave. They have higher priced hats in Montecristi and these are clearly different.

 

[daizawaguy]

This is a Borsalino Optimo. On their site it says Montecristi but according to a local salesperson this is not a Montecristi. It looks quite different too. Very fine and light and different from a Montecristi weave. They have higher priced hats in Montecristi and these are clearly different.

Another picture

 

[JackieMatra]

No opinions, yet?

I'd try posting higher resolution photographs in the Panama Hat thread.
There are usually a lot of experts hanging around there.

 

[alanfgag]

It looks like a modern Montecristi to me. The contemporary hats when photographed with light behind emphasize the chevron crossing in the vueltas and appear more transparent than the vintage examples that I have handled. Here is one from the 1950s - not backlit.

 

[hatsRme]

Glad to have you weigh in here, Alan. I was wondering the same, but lacked the confidence to post my thoughts... Thanks!

What do you think, Peter?

 

[daizawaguy]

Many thanks. I notice the above hat is also sold with a wooden box in some markets labelled `manufacturas montecristi manabi` so you must be correct, thanks.

But you will note the weave is almost too uniform for a 400 WSPI hat, and quite light. Maybe Borsalino have their own source of weavers.