Sacristan – Ladies steel white

Description

„Prayer is the breath of the soul.“

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The official Christian watch series from the Vatican Observatory, displaying the times for the Liturgy of the Hours.

Given the special meaning that prayer has for so many people and the historical relevance of time measurement for praying, creating the first existing wrist watch series with liturgy time display has been a motive and an honorable devotion for our watch production company.

We initially referred to the Vatican in the end of 2010 presenting our plan and first design studies and asking for endorsement and official cooperation. After continuing our design and development work farther in detail, at the end of August 2011 we were officially authorized in producing a wrist watch series under the guidance of the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana), whose foundation coat of arms can be seen on every watch produced in this series. It is our as well as the Foundation’s desire that our watch collection shall be amenable to a great number of Christians all over the world. A substantial part of the revenue generated through the sales of the watches will be used by the Vatican Observatory Foundation for purposes of research and education.

Being a medium-size Saxon company, we take pride in having received the official concession of the Vatican Observatory Foundation to dedicate the “SACRISTAN” watch series to the life’s work of Pope Benedikt XVI (Benedictus PP.XVI, civil name Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger).

Monastic prayer times on a wristwatch

In the Middle Ages, scholars in monasteries worked on developing precise timepieces—out of the necessity to ring bells at specific times for prayer. Simple candle, water, and sundials later gave rise to the first mechanical clocks: the foundation of our modern timekeeping.

According to Benedictine rules, prayers are traditionally said seven times a day:

• 6:00 a.m. – Lauds (morning praise)
• 9:00 a.m. – Terce (prayer at the 3rd hour)
• 12:00 p.m. – Sext (midday prayer)
• 3:00 p.m. – None (prayer at the 9th hour)
• 6:00 p.m. – Vespers (evening prayer)
• 9:00 p.m. – Compline (night prayer)
• 12:00 a.m. – Matins (night prayer)

Historiography also records an eighth prayer time. Prime (“the first”) took place at around 3:00 a.m.

Even today, these prayer times are observed in many places, often grouped into three sections: morning, daytime, and evening prayer. Each time has its own biblical significance and special character.

SACRISTAN wristwatches combine this centuries-old rhythm with modern watchmaking artistry:
in addition to displaying the time and date, they discreetly mark the seven traditional prayer times. This globally unique feature appeals not only to believers, but to all lovers of special timepieces.

Technical details:

• Model: KS 701 Sacristan Quartz Ladies’ Watch
• Case: 7-piece baptismal font shape with star appliqués on the lugs, polished 316 L stainless steel
• Dimensions: Diameter 33.5 mm (without crown), case thickness 9 mm
• Back: Stainless steel back with engraving
• Dial: Silver-white guilloché
• Indexes: Applied Roman indexes
• Hands: Skeletonized hour/minute hands, steel seconds hand, blue prayer time hand with star appliqué
• Glass: Mineral glass with diamond film coating (DFC)
• Crown: Fluted with star engraving
• Strap: Padded genuine leather strap in black with alligator embossing, pin buckle
• Movement: Ronda 505.24
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date, 24h/GMT with prayer times
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Special features: Official timepiece of the Vatican Observatory Foundation with numbered certificate of origin and authenticity
• Scope of delivery: Watch; watch box; booklet with history, warranty conditions, and description; certificate of authenticity and origin from the VATICAN O.F., numbered with embossed seal