French silver watch with crucifixion scene of Jesus Circa 1880

Silver pocket watch with open face by Henri-Paul Ratel
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An extremely rare French priest’s pocket watch, circa 1880. A gift to a missionary of the African Mission Order. This exceptional and highly unusual French pocket watch, dating to circa 1880, was presented to a missionary of the African Mission Order. The silver case features, on its reverse, a bold relief depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus, while the edges of both the front and reverse are engraved with a rosary motif. The numbered and signed silver dome is complemented by a richly engraved band bearing a banderole inscribed with the Latin text: Vigilate quia nescitis diem neque horam (Matthew 25:13: Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour). The trefoil shaped pendant is decorated with depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Ghost.
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The unique signed enamel dial displays Roman radial hour numerals and 12 hour sectors, each bearing descriptions of the Passion of Christ. Blued steel hands are adorned with castigation tools, and the dial also marks church events assigned to specific hours. An additional golden hour hand moves at a constant interval, two hours ahead of the actual time, creating a distinctive dual time display. The bridge movement, Calibre LeCoultre, is frosted and gilt, with blued screws, a cylinder escapement, a large three arm brass balance, and a blued balance spring. The cuvette is signed: Ratel, Horloger Bté. de N.S.P. le Pape, 53 Rue Monsieur le Prince, Paris.
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Diameter:46 mm
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Weight: 80 g
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Signed: Ratel Paris
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Henri-Paul Ratel, French watchmaker, Horloger Bte. DE NSP LE PAPE a Paris.
Henri-Paul Ratel founded a watch and jewellery shop around 1820 in Paris at 53 rue Monsieur-le-Prince. He held the title Horloger Bté. DE NSP LE PAPE a Paris. According to a Ratel letterhead, Rue Monsieur-le-Prince Nt. 53 before 49, près de l’Odeon Faubourg Saint-Germain. The company was active until about 1900. The company won a silver medal at the World Exhibition of 1889 (Eiffel Tower).
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The clock shown
The elaborately designed case of this pocket watch has a relief depiction of Christ on the cross on the back. There is an engraved rosary on the edge of the front and back. The middle part of the case bears the banner: VIGILATE QUIA NESCITIS DIEM NEQUE HORAM (Matthew 25, 13: Be alert, for you know neither the day nor the hour). The pendant is trefoil shaped and richly engraved with the depiction of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit. The dial features 12 hour fields with descriptions of the Passion of Christ; the blued steel hands are in the shape of Christ’s flagellation tools.