German repeating verge watch with repoussé decoration Circa 1750

Silver pair-cased quarter repeater by Christian Heinrich Hähnel
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A rare German Fürth pair-cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch with repoussé decoration, circa 1750.
Two cases: an outer case – silver, repoussé decoration: a lute-playing man, open-worked edges with engraved volutes and shell-work, large outer hinge; and an inner case – silver, open-worked edges with engraved flowers, acanthus, shell-work and a bearded man at 6, pusher for repetition via pendant, and rear bell. Enamel dial with Roman radial hours and pierced hands. Fine full plate movement, keywind, applied floral decorations, fire gilt, signed, chain/fusee, two hammers, square baluster pillars, three-arm steel balance, fine florally engraved, and pierced balance cock with shell.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Weight: 84 g
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Signed: Christian Heinrich Hähnel in Fürth
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Christian Heinrich Hähnel
Christian Heinrich Hähnel was born on March 18, 1695 in Zwickau; he was the son of clockmaker Christian Hähnel. He attended school and Latin school in Zwickau and apprenticed with his father. Hähnel travelled and worked in Prague, Leipzig, Dresden, Danzig, Hamburg, Halle, Berlin, Stettin and Nuremberg before settling in Fürth, which was at the time an important clockmaking town. On August 8, 1719, he married a woman from Zwickau; a year later, he married a woman from Nuremberg with whom he had 13 children. One of Hähnel’s daughters later married watchmaker Nikolaus Daniel Stolze. Hähnel worked for example for the family of Count Pückler-Limpurg at castle Burgfarrnbach near Fürth.