- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
Montecristi and Cuenca (kwayn-ka) are the two primary centers of panama hat production and export in Ecuador. Montecristi is on the coast, and Cuenca is in the Andes Mountains. Better hats come from Montecristi - more hats come from Cuenca. Many (and by that, I mean most) hats labeled as Montecristi are actually Cuenca in quality, but since they are made in the city of Montecristi the hat is often labeled as genuine Montecristi for place of manufacture. Therefore, confusion is rampant because Montecristi can be used for quality or location of manufacture.
Montecristi hats are very well made. It will take a master weaver months to weave one hat body. They tend to go for high dollar. Prices start around $500 for the lesser hats and have been known to go up to $25,000. (That’s not a misprint). The average cost I’ve seen is about $1,000. There are very few sellers of the Montecristi (quality) Panama hats. One of the most trusted and best known is Brent Black. Other dealers/sellers want to compete, but Brent makes several trips each year and has some of the best weavers contracted. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Montecristi hats can be found at www.brentblack.com. Montecristi hats are sold by other dealers but in limited quantities and qualities.
Montecristi Panama hats are hard to find second hand - most people who have one don’t let it go. Remember; patience is a virtue, research is vital, and don’t forget luck. Armed with those three a person may be fortunate enough to get a really nice Montecristi at a fraction of the cost. I was fortunate this past winter, and it didn’t just happen once. Lighting struck six times.
I’m glad to bow to your knowledge on Panama hats, but isn’t the weave also different? There are a few types of weaves and it’s not all about the city of origin…or so I’ve come to understand.