Is this a Perfecto 618 or 118? Bought on eBay for $300 incl shipping

[Peter Suzuki]

Also 118 has a snap button for the belt buckle so it stays in place; the 618 does not. I don't know if this is a recent add though.
The photo's are not good but it seems the jacket does not have such a snap button.

Yeah that’s a newer feature. I don’t think this jacket it.

 

[Bahabp100]

That's also my understanding - back end of the eighties, I believe. My 618 is a nice jacket; I'd buy a 118 at the right price, but even used they've gone well up on what I'd be prepared to pay over here. Mix of Schott's price rising and the pound dropping significantly in value against the dollar since 2016. There are more affordable models than the 618/613/118, but they tend to be lambskin, which is not a hide I favour.

I'm sure I've seen 118s that didn't have the Schott-branded snaps that are on the 618, but I can't honestly claim to know whether that was ever a difference in the same era or no. I would as a rule prefer a plain snap myself, but it's not the worst branding I've ever seen ,and I can sort of see why Schott want to jump on that given that it's one point of distinction they can retain for their jackets on the market.

I did find a post from Gail on Schott's bbs from back in 2006 where she says:

"On the sizing comparison of the 2 jackets, the measurements are slightly different, but basically the 618 in a size 40 would be the measurements in the 118 size 38. The chest and shoulder measurements in the 118/38 is the same as the 618/40 and accordingly for all the sizes. The bottom sweep of the 618 is about 1" wider than the 118 in all sizes. The 618 is 1" shorter than the 118 in all sizes. On the 118 the sleeve length is 1/2" longer than a 618. Please note all these comparisons are based on the 118 in a size compared to the 618 in one size larger."

Interesting that the 118 is apparently a touch longer according to Gail even allowing for the difference in size labelling, though given the normal tolerances for these things and mass-production, I would be wary of assuming it was always exactly so. IMO, the most significant differences will be the hide (chrome tanned on 618 or naked cowhide on the 118) and the size labelling. Unless there's a close-up of the label (from memory, my 618 has a little 618 tag attached somewhere on the edge of the big label in the back of the neck), it's almost impossible to tell the difference between the two from a photo alone otherwise.

Interesting seeing the Schott website now, quite a range of variations on the Perfecto vibe. I'm reminded too of their recent foray into engineer boots, which look interesting at a similar price to Red Wings.

I did not write this just sharing it
https://www.schottnyc.com/forum/posts/schott_perfecto_timeline.htm

 

[Aloysius]

Not gonna lie, the snap is handy but it's actually so stupid. I have it on my Per70 and keep the buckle snapped at all times as it is convenient but the jacket looks SO lame that way. . . That hanging belt is a huge part of what makes Perfecto cool and with the buckle snapped on, the jacket looks castrated.

I hate the snap. Cinch the belt if you want it flat (and why wouldn't one cinch while riding?) but the half-attached belt looks corny as hell, and hanging with the snap showing doesn't look the same.

Side by side photo?

vs

 

[Peter Suzuki]

:: So I received it today. It’s a 618 from 1991! Actually it’s roomier than I thought. I had another Perfecto (model tag was missing) size 42 that was too roomy. I thought this 40 would be perfect but it’s still roomy ‍

 

[Aloysius]

Roomy everywhere or at the waist?

 

[Peter Suzuki]

:: Chest area mainly. I guess I’m a 38. I had a Schott #555 from the 80’s & 38 was too small. I guess Perfecto is sized differently.

 

[Aloysius]

Did you measure your chest before ordering? Generally speaking, 600 jackets run one size down.

 

[Peter Suzuki]

:: I generally wear 40. It’s ok the jacket is in amazing condition for 1991. I’ll keep it for now.