Swiss extremely rare miniature pocket watch Circa 1854

Gold open faced pocket watch by Patek Philippe & Cie.
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An extremely rare Swiss miniature pocket watch produced for the German market, circa 1854. Sold in June 1857 – with original box and Patek Philippe extract from the archives.
18 carat gold engine-turned case with reeded band and numbered and signed gold dome. Enamel dial with radial Roman numerals and blued Breguet hands. Frosted gilt, keywind  bridge movement with cylinder escapement and three-arm brass balance.
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Diameter: 18 mm
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Weight: 8 g
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie. Genève
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Even in the early days when the company still traded as Patek & Czapek and Patek & Cie., it had already made the miniature watch one of its specialities. The watch we have here is one of the earliest ones made after the company had begun trading as Patek Philippe. Watchmakers have always competed against each other to create ever smaller designs. A particularly small model Patek Philippe produced was famous for being the smallest watch in the world at the time; it was sent to the 1851 Exhibition in London, where Queen Victoria and her husband the Prince Albert both bought miniature watches. This started a great interest in these small treasures and launched a series of unmitigated success for the company. An identical miniature watch to the one the queen bought at the London Exhibition, no. 9754 was sold at Antiquorum in 2005.