The miniature watch was one of the specialties of Patek Philippe, even in its earlier forms as Patek & Czapek, and Patek & Cie. Among the smallest watches made by the firm was one sent to the 1851 London Exhibition; it was considered the smallest watch in the world at the time. At that Exhibition Queen Victoria bought a miniature watch, as did Prince Albert, thus launching a series of uninterrupted successes for the company, which continued to make miniature watches. The present watch is one of the first made by the company under the name of Patek Philippe. Miniature watches have always been a challenge for watchmakers, who have vied with one another to produce ever-smaller mechanisms. The earliest known surviving example is a tiny gold and enamel clockwatch by an unknown German maker, circa 1610, which once belonged to Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia and was sold as part of the Harcourt Collection at Sotheby's London in 1992. One of the smallest watches of the 18th century was made by Philipp Voter in Vienna around 1760 (sold by Antiquorum, 14th November 2004, lot 320.) Another, by J. Thierry, London, circa 1770, with one of the smallest verge watch movements ever made, was sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, 11th & 12th April 1992. Breguet made a small number of miniature watches with keyless winding. Measuring only 18 mm., these were the smallest watches with keyless winding and hand-setting produced before the late 19th century (see Antiquorum Geneva, October 20, 1991, lot 263.) One of the most famous miniature watches of the 19th century was made by Patek Philippe and purchased by Queen Victoria at the London Exhibition of 1851. The world's smallest tourbillon, made by Fritz-Andre Robert Charrue of Le Locle and dated 1945, was sold by Antiquorum, April 12, 2003, lot 559. For other similar examples, see: Antiquorum, Geneva, "The Art of Patek Philippe", April 9, 1989, lot 133; Antiquorum, Geneva, 20th October 1991, lot 262.