Fine and rare Dutch enamelled verge watch Circa 1676-1680

Enamel watch by Johannes van Ceulen
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A fine and rare Dutch pocket watch with polychrome enamel French Paris case and The Hague movement, circa 1676-1680.
Gilded brass movement, partly blued steel, and silver, with verge movement, pierced and engraved single foot balance cock, plain steel three-armed balance, tulip pillars. Enamel dial, centre painted with an enamel scene, Roman radial hours, and decorative hands. Gold case probably circa 1650 with painted enamel scenes and raised enamel on gold. Signed on the back plate of the movement.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Johannes Van Ceulen fecit Hagae
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Watchmaker: Johannes van Ceulen (Dutch, active 1675–1715)
Enameler: Painted enamel, possibly by Henri Toutin (French, 1614–1684)
Enameler: Raised enamel, possibly by I. Josias Belle (French, 1624–1695)
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Van Ceulen lived opposite the Huygens family in The Hague and briefly cooperated with the great Dutch mathematician Christiaan Huygens. This watch incorporates the spiral spring balance invented by Huygens in 1675. Its application to the watch is a unique design by Van Ceulen, and we know that Christiaan’s brother, Constantijn, owned a watch with a similar movement in 1676. Dutch predilection for enamelled watchcases had a long history. The enamelled relief ornament on the side of the case of this watch closely resembles the work of the Paris goldsmith Josias Belle (1628–1695), though he is not known as an enamel painter. The two circular panels with narrative scenes from the Old Testament story of Isaac and Rebecca are separate elements. They are undoubtedly of French origin, but their authorship remains anonymous.