Panerai‘s storied history as supplier of watches to Second World War Italian navy commandos will be on display starting August 26, 2015 with the opening of the “History and Legend” exhibition in Singapore. Timepieces spanning its history will be on show, including exceptionally rare vintage watches like the enormous GPF 2/56 dive watch made for the Egyptian navy in the 1950s known as the Egiziano. Also on display is a full size – measuring 7.5m from tip to tip and half a metre in diameter – model of the human torpedo nicknamed maiale, Italian for “pig”; a feature that has been found on several Panerai wristwatches.

Almost as integral to Panerai’s history as the watches, the Siluro a Lenta Corsa (“slow speed torpedo”) was used by Italian navy commandos against Allied ships during World War Two. A pair of frogmen – wear Panerai watches naturally – would ride the SLC to the enemy vessel and attach the torpedo’s warhead to the hull before departing on the torpedo before the explosion. 

GPF 2/56 Egiziano

“History and Legend” is open from August 26 to September 6, 2015, in the atrium on the ground level of ION Orchard. This is the same mall where the “Voyages & Ornaments” exhibition is concurrently running at the Vacheron Constantin boutique.

It’s open daily from 11am to 9pm, with guided tours available starting August 27. The half hour tours are available in the afternoon at 3pm and 5pm at no cost, however, registration is necessary via emailing the Panerai boutique.