The R and A on the clock are for "re-tard", slow down and "advance" speed up the movement. R and A are usually, on wristwatches at least, on devices meant for the French market. Or so I believe I have learned as a novice watch collector.
T.
P.S. auto correct or the politically correct police won't let me type in ******, even though I am not trying to use it as a slam on someone challenged. We have gone too far, folks.