Lot 41
41
Ratel, the movement by Vacheron Constantin. A fine, rare and very unusual silver openface dual time zone keyless lever watch with special dial indicating Catholic hours of prayer and the stations of the cross, original box and literature
Ratel, the movement by Vacheron Constantin. A fine, rare and very unusual silver openface dual time zone keyless lever watch with special dial indicating Catholic hours of prayer and the stations of the cross, original box and literature
Ratel, the movement by Vacheron Constantin. A fine, rare and very unusual silver openface dual time zone keyless lever watch with special dial indicating Catholic hours of prayer and the stations of the cross, original box and literature
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On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more VACHERON CONSTANTINHora Christi Dual Time Zone Watch
Ratel, the movement by Vacheron Constantin. A fine, rare and very unusual silver openface dual time zone keyless lever watch with special dial indicating Catholic hours of prayer and the stations of the cross, original box and literature

Signed Ratel, Horloger Bte. De N. St.Pere Le Pape, movement no. 295449, case no. 177681, made circa 1893

Details
Ratel, the movement by Vacheron Constantin. A fine, rare and very unusual silver openface dual time zone keyless lever watch with special dial indicating Catholic hours of prayer and the stations of the cross, original box and literature
Signed Ratel, Horloger Bte. De N. St.Pere Le Pape, movement no. 295449, case no. 177681, made circa 1893
Movement: cal. RA 18'''XX, manual, 15 jewels, numbered
Dial: white enamel, gilt sun, cross and crown of thorns in the centre radiating out into 12 divisions, each sector with dedications and the stations of the cross, blued steel hands representing the instruments of the passion, gold hand indicating the time in Jerusalem, signed by Ratel
Case: hinged back cast and chased with Jesus on the cross, a rosary in high relief to the edge and to the bezel, flat band with latin inscription “Vigilate Qvia Nescitis Diem Neqve Horam”, hinged silver cuvette with engraved dedication, signed by Ratel, 45.5 mm. diam.
With: Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch wth silver case no. 177'681 and movement no. 295'449 in 1893, original Ratel printed description and Ratel gold-tooled red morocco fitted box
Special Notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 7.7% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Lot Essay

This rare and fascinating devotional silver dual-time zone watch made by Vacheron Constantin and retailed by Ratel of Paris is sold with the original box and descriptive document detailing the meaning and use of the timepiece.

The elaborately designed case shows Christ on the cross in high relief to the back. Edge of the back and bezel are decorated with an engraved rosary. The band is inscribed "VIGILATE QUIA NESCITIS DIEM NEQUE HORAM" (Matthew 25, 13: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour"). The pendant is three-shaped and richly engraved with the depiction of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit. On the dial there are 12 hours fields with descriptions of the Passion of Christ, the blued steel hands are in the form of the scourging tools of Christ.

The Hora Christi watch is intended to be the perpetual subject of pious meditations enabling Christians around the world to find themselves united in the same thought at the same time, the time of Jerusalem is taken as a universal time and the other hands adjusted according to the time difference existing between each country.

It would appear that Ratel et Cie. devised the design and making of the Hora Christi watch as the company’s speciality. The firm was established at 53, Rue Mr. Le Prince, Paris, and described themselves as watchmaker to His Holiness the Pope.

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