Panerai Egiziano watch born for Egypt’s Army heroes.

The Panerai Egiziano: A Symbol of Independence in Military Watch Pride

In the turbulent years following the birth of Israel in 1948, Egypt stood firm in its commitment to defend Arab sovereignty. Recognizing the need for elite naval forces capable of striking at enemy supply lines, the Egyptian Navy forged a secret unit of combat divers—"Al Ferka Al Sierra" (The Secret Team)—trained by Italian veterans of World War II’s legendary Decima MAS.  

By the mid-1950s, these warriors needed the finest equipment. Their search led them to Officine Panerai, the legendary Florentine maker of dive instruments for Italy’s Navy. The Egyptians demanded a watch as formidable as their mission: waterproof, legible, and built to endure the depths of war.  

The Birth of the Egiziano (GPF 2/56)

Panerai answered with a masterpiece—the "Egiziano" (GPF 2/56) —a watch designed exclusively for Egypt’s frogmen. Its 60mm steel case, the largest of its time, was engineered for absolute reliability, secured by six screws and a patented crown guard. Inside, the Angelus 8-day movement ensured uninterrupted operation during extended missions.  

The dial, coated in luminous Radiomir, featured a small seconds at 9 o'clock—a first for Panerai—and the proud inscription "8 Giorni Brevettato", a testament to its endurance. The rotating bezel allowed precise dive timing, making it the ultimate tool for underwater operations.  

Proven in Battle: The Suez Crisis " Tripartite Aggression War" 1956.
 
When British, French, and Israeli forces moved against Egypt in 1956, the Egiziano was there. Strapped to the wrists of Al Ferka Al Sierra divers, it played a role in the daring mission to block the Suez Canal sinking ships to halt enemy advances. Even after the conflict, the watch endured, just as Egypt itself endured.  

A Legacy of Strength and Independence
 
Only 50 Egiziano watches were ever made, each a rare artifact of Egyptian military history. Today, surviving examples are treasured by collectors, but their true value lies in their story a story of Egyptian ingenuity, resilience, and the unbreakable will of its armed forces.  

The Egiziano was not just a watch. It was a weapon, a companion, and a badge of honor for the men who wore it into the depths. For Egypt, it remains a symbol of national pride proof that when our soldiers demanded the Independence, they have. 

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GPF 2/56 an icon of  Independence for Egypt and Panerai.

Panerai’s Early Dependence on Rolex (1930s–1950s)

Rolex Movements & Cases: From the 1930s to the early 1950s, Panerai’s military dive watches (like the Radiomir and Mare Nostrum) relied heavily on Rolex:

Movements: Rolex Cal. 618 (modified Cortebert) in the Radiomir.

Cases: Rolex-produced Oyster-style cases with screw-down crowns.

Crowns & Casebacks: Often Rolex-signed.

Rolex-Panerai Partnership: Rolex acted as a supplier, while Panerai focused on luminous technology (Radiomir, then Luminor) and military contracts.

The GPF 2/56 "Egiziano" – A Step Toward Independence (1956)
When Panerai developed the Egiziano for the Egyptian Navy (Reference GPF 2/56), it signaled a shift.

Angelus Movement Instead of Rolex

The Egiziano used the Angelus SF240 (8-day manual-wind) instead of a Rolex caliber.

Why? Rolex had moved toward in-house automatic movements (e.g., Cal. 1030 in the 1950s), which weren’t suitable for Panerai’s military needs (long power reserve, simplicity).

Angelus was a Swiss manufacturer known for long-power reserve movements, making it a better fit.

Panerai-Designed Case (Free of Rolex Influence)

The 60mm stainless steel case was entirely Panerai’s design, unlike earlier models that borrowed Rolex Oyster traits.

The crown was unsigned (no Rolex coronet), another sign of independence.

Egyptian Contract = Direct Military Business

The Egiziano was commissioned directly for the Egyptian Navy, not through Italian forces (who had previously used Rolex-based Panerais).

This showed Panerai’s ability to secure independent contracts without Rolex’s backing.

The Full Break from Rolex (Post-1956)

After the Egiziano, Panerai continued distancing itself from Rolex.

Appreciating The legendary heritage of the Panerai Egiziano—a timepiece crafted for Egypt's heroes.

Long live Egypt, long live the iconic Panerai Egiziano!"