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Antique & Scientific Instruments U.K. |
W.WATSON & Son INSTRUMENTS
Watson catalogues were not shy in advertising the advantages of their microscopes as seen in an extract from a Watson catalogue showing THE THREE VAN HEURCKs (every bit as classy as The Three Tenors, but slimmer).
A SELECTION OF WATSON MICROSCOPES
This selection details some of the Watson microscopes and associated instruments I have owned (or still do). The microscopes are more or less in date order where I have a serial number and will be added to as I get time (or more instruments).
The 19th Century
An
antique binocular microscope,
by WATSON & SON with
accessories in a fitted mahogany case. The
microscope is based on the Ross “bar-limb”
design, pre-dating the famous Edinburgh models, and has a flat “Y”
shaped foot with side plates forming trunnions to hold the limb. The
main focus is by rack & pinion on the triangular bar, fine focus
by limb mounted thumbwheel long-lever and inter-ocular separation is
by sliding lever. It has a plain square stage with slide clips and a
socket to accommodate sub-stage accessories, a plano-concave mirror
and the stand is engraved with the makers
name, address and instrument serial number, all standing on a
mahogany base. This number, 865,
points to this being one of Watson’s first binocular
microscopes made before dating information is reliable and before the
second son joined the company in 1882. The microscope
comes with a host of accessories, some of
which are later additions, including two objectives (3 & 1, inch)
in matching lacquered brass cans, 2 "top hat" type
eyepieces, sub-stage accessories including a sliding dark ground
condenser and a wheel-of-stops condenser. Other accessories are a
Bolton type compressor, a live box, a freestanding bull's eye
condenser, a wet cell, and forceps. The case
has a brass handle, an inset door with brass hinges, and a working
lock with key and has a small fitted drawer for loose items. The
microscope is in working order but has little original lacquer left.
Optically, everything is fine and the Wenham prism gives a good
stereo image. A very early example of a Watson & Son binocular
microscope.
A
WATSON binocular
microscope, with accessories
in a fitted mahogany case. The main focus is
by rack & pinion, fine focus by nosepiece thumbwheel-lever and
inter-ocular separation is by thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion. The microscope has a mechanical
stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and slide clips, a
swing-out mechanical centring sub-stage, a huge mirror which is good,
both sides and the stand is engraved with
the makers name, address and instrument serial number. This number,
1180, dates it to the early
1880's (the engraved “Watson & Son” dates it
pre-1882 when the second “son” was added), before the
advent of the "Edinburgh" stand. The microscope comes with
seven objectives (2mm, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2
and 4 inch) in lacquered brass cans, 4 "top hat" type
eyepieces, sub-stage accessories
including an Abbe condenser with lever operated iris and
swing-out filter holder, a dark ground condenser, a substage
polariser and a parabolic condenser. Other accessories
are a nosepiece analyser, live box, freestanding bull's eye condenser
and a drawer containing some slides. The case has a brass handle,
hinges and a working lock with key.
WATSON & SONS
An
early (pre-Edinburgh) student MICROSCOPE
by Watson. This is a
rare 19th century "Watson &
Sons” monocular microscope with
accessories in it's fitted case. The
elegant design of the one piece cast foot and slender limb make an
imposing stand. The arsenic black finished brass base is signed
WATSON & SONS, 313 HIGH HOLBORN,
LONDON with the number 1636
(dated to about 1885). It is all brass with it's original lacquer
finish. It has rack & pinion main focus and nosepiece fine focus,
a square plain stage with overstage slide holder and sub-stage socket
for accessories. Beneath the stage there is a plano-concave mirror
(which has some milkiness on both sides) on a swinging arm. There is
a single top hat type eyepiece and two objectives (1 inch & 2
inch) in large matching lacquered brass cans as well as the sub-stage
wheel of stops condenser. The fine case is made from mahogany
with lacquered brass screws and brass hinges & catches and an
inset lacquered brass handle.
A
RARE ANTIQUE WATSON "WALES"
MICROSCOPE This is a very rare
19th century "W.Watson &
Sons Wales' Form American Microscope" in Petrologic
format, with accessories in it's fitted case.
The elegant design of the Wales limb allows the
instrument to be set at any viewing angle
whilst maintaining a balance between the eyepiece tube and the
sub-stage assembly. This eliminates the need for a heavy base, as
reflected in the twin pillar tripod foot of this model. The bronze
finished brass base is signed W. WATSON
& SONS, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON with
the number 1852
(dated to 1887) also on one of the feet. It
is all brass with it's original lacquer and bronze finish. It has
rack & pinion and fine focus, circular stage with slide holder
and built-in wheel stop condenser. Beneath the stage there is a
plano-concave mirror on a swinging arm. There is a single eyepiece
and two objectives in matching lacquered brass cans as well as the
sub-stage polariser and a nosepiece analyser. The case is made
from mahogany with hand made dovetail joints and brass hinges and
handle. It also has a fitted drawer, which holds slides and
accessories.
An
antique histology
microscope
by
W.WATSON &
SONS, 313 High Holborn, London
This all brass microscope is engraved on the
foot by Watson and has the serial number 2000,
which dates it exactly to 1888. Watson introduced the histology stand
in 1886. It has drawtube main and thumbwheel fine focussing. The
microscope comes with 2-signed objectives, a
2/3 and 1/6, in matching lacquered brass cans. It has two eyepieces
and it has a square stage with slides clips and a plug-in iris
sub-stage condenser. The plano-concave mirror is in excellent
condition on both sides. The microscope, which has all original
lacquer, is in beautiful condition and comes in its original fitted
mahogany case with all its accessories. The
case has a leather handle, brass hinges and
original lock and is about 11.5inches high
An
early WATSON binocular
microscope, with accessories in a fitted
mahogany case. The main focus is by rack &
pinion, fine focus by limb mounted micrometer long-lever and
inter-ocular separation is by thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion. The microscope has an early type
mechanical stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and slide
clips, a swing-out mechanical centring sub-stage, a plano-concave
mirror which is good, both sides and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number. The stand has a one piece cast brass raised horseshoe type
foot with a form of Lister limb. The serial number, 2329,
would suggest a date of 1889 but this is some 5 years or so after the
introduction of the Edinburgh stand, so it may be that this
instrument was made earlier than the serial number would suggest. The
early type mechanical stage would also lead one to that conclusion.
The microscope comes with a host of accessories
including three objectives (1/8, 1/4, & 1, inch) in matching
lacquered brass cans, 2 "top hat" type eyepieces, sub-stage
accessories including a general purpose condenser with lever operated
iris and swing-out filter holder, a substage polariser and a (for the
purist) a wheel-of-stops condenser. Other accessories are a nosepiece
analyser, live box containing a set of dark grounds, a freestanding
bull's eye condenser, a micrometer eyepiece insert, a camera lucida,
a compressor, a wet cell, forceps, triple nosepiece changer, stage
forceps and a drawer containing some slides, a couple of which are
labelled by Watson. The case has a leather
handle, brass hinges and a working lock with key.
A
fine Edinburgh
model “C” microscope
by W.WATSON
& SONS, 313 High Holborn, London in its original
mahogany case. This all brass microscope is
engraved in script, on the foot by Watson
and has the serial number 2373
which dates it to 1889. It has rack & pinion main, and thumbwheel
micrometer fine focussing. The drawtube is
engraved for setting the tube length. The microscope comes with
accessories, which include 2 objectives (a
1/6, & 1 inch), with matching lacquered brass cans, an Abbe type
condenser with swing out stop mount and five variable sized stops. It
has two eyepieces and it has a square stage with slides clips and a
centring thumbwheel rack & pinion mechanical sub-stage. The
plano-concave mirror is in excellent condition both sides. The
microscope, which has all original lacquer,
is in beautiful condition and comes in a fitted mahogany case with
all its accessories. The case has a leather
handle, brass hinges and original working lock & key.
A
beautiful, WATSON ROYAL
BINOCULAR microscope,
in a glass display dome. This microscope is in every way worthy of
being displayed in such a way. The condition and attention to detail,
from the tiny arrow on the course focus spindle
to the calibrated scales on the stage and fine
focus, which has gone into the making of this
instrument, makes it worthy of the Royal title. It has a swing-out
mechanical centring sub-stage with Abbe condenser, lever operated
iris and swing-out filter holder, a mechanical stage with thumb-wheel
"X - Y" control and fully rotating upper
stage with dovetailed slide clamps. The main focus is by rack &
pinion, fine focus by limb-lever and rack & pinion eyepiece
separation. Whichever way you look at it, this
instrument is fine. The finish is A1 gold
coloured lacquer, the mirror is perfect both sides, all the controls
work smoothly and are wear free.
A
fine histology
microscope
by W.WATSON
& SONS, 313 High Holborn, London This all brass
microscope is engraved on the foot by Watson
and has the serial number 2892
which dates it to 1892. The histology stand was introduced
by Watson in 1886. It has rack & pinion course and thumbwheel
fine focussing. The microscope comes with 3 objectives, a 1/12, 1/6,
& 1 inch, with matching lacquered brass cans. It has one eyepiece
and it has a square stage with slides clips and a plug-in iris
sub-stage condenser. The plano-concave mirror is in excellent
condition both sides. The microscope, which has all original lacquer,
is in beautiful condition and comes in a fitted mahogany case
with all it’s accessories. The case has
a leather handle, brass hinges, original working lock & key and
is about 13inches high
A
WATSON No. 1 Van Heurck
microscope, with accessories in a fitted
mahogany case. The main focus and first
stage draw tube is by rack & pinion and fine focus is by
thumbwheel-lever. The microscope has a
mechanical stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control &
scales and a slide clamp with clip, on a
circular rotating stage. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage has
thumbwheel controlled fine adjustment and holds a lever-operated iris
and swing-out filter holder with quick change condenser
adapter. The plano-convex mirror is on a
swing-out limb for oblique illumination, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number. This number, 2954, dates
it to 1892 and a card accompanying the instrument confirms that this
microscope was first sold, by Watson, in 1892. Also accompanying the
instrument is the receipt for it’s sale to the late Dr. Savile
Bradbury, one of England’s most eminent microscopist’s of
the 20th century. It seems that Dr. Bradbury preferred
quick change accessories as the nosepiece is also fitted with a quick
change set for objectives. The microscope comes with a host of
accessories including four objectives (1/6
& 2/3 Paras, 6mm Holos & 1/20 oil immersion) a "top hat"
type C eyepiece, a Holos X10, a Huyg. X15, X6 & X10 low powers
and a pointer eyepiece. The large drawer holds sub-stage
accessories including a universal condenser, a dry zonal dark ground,
a Holos immersion parabolic oil condenser, a polariser and an Abbe
type as well as the nosepiece analyser. The case
has a brass handle, brass hinges to the door and a working lock &
key. The whole instrument is in excellent working condition,
mechanically & optically, with all original finishes. A top class
microscope from the last decade of the 19th century.
A
W.WATSON & SONS Edinburgh model”F”
microscope, with accessories in a fitted
mahogany case. The main focus is by rack & pinion and fine focus
is by thumbwheel-lever micrometer. The
microscope has a plug in wheel of stops
condenser. The mirror is on a swinging limb, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number 3032 which dates it
to 1892. The microscope comes with accessories
comprising three Holos objectives (2/3 inch, ½ inch & 1/6
inch, in matching lacquered brass cans) and two eyepiece, a X10 and a
no.3. The case has a brass handle, brass
hinges to the door and a brass lock. The whole instrument is in
excellent working condition, mechanically & optically.
A
WATSON Circuit Stage Van Heurck
microscope, with accessories and both
monocular and Wenham binocular bodies, in a fitted mahogany case.
On the monocular, the main focus and first stage draw
tube is by rack & pinion and fine focus is by
thumbwheel-lever. The binocular body tube
inter-ocular separation is by thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion. The microscope has a mechanical
stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and a slide clamp
with clips, on a 360 degree pinion driven rotating stage. The
mechanical, centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled fine
adjustment and holds a lever-operated iris and swing-out filter
holder. The plano-convex mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique
illumination, and the stand is engraved
with the makers name, address and instrument serial number. This
number, 3088, dates it to about
1893. The microscope comes with a set of high class Holos optics, The
top drawer in the cabinet holds five
objectives (25mm Holos, 6mm Holos, 2mm Holos, 1/6 and 3 inch
Parachromatic) in matching signed, lacquered brass cans, 3 "top
hat" type Holos eyepieces (X5, 7 & 10), two X14 Holos
oculars and a pair of X6 eyepieces with adapters are stored in
the binocular tubes. The second drawer holds sub-stage accessories
including a universal condenser, a Holos immersion parabolic oil
condenser, a polariser and a can of various shaped dark ground stops,
as well as the nosepiece analyser and the two binocular prisms
(Wenham and high power prism assemblies) in their respective
lacquered brass cans. The case has a wood
and brass handle, 3 brass hinges to the door and a lock and key. The
whole instrument is in excellent working condition with all original
finishes, a rich golden lacquer and high polish to the woodwork. An
investment quality microscope owned by the late Dr. Savile
Bradbury, one of England’s most eminent microscopist’s of
the 20th century.
A
WATSON Grand Van Heurck
microscope, with accessories in a fitted
mahogany case.
The main focus and first stage draw tube is by thumbwheel rack & pinion. Sub-stage fine control and fine focus is by micrometer thumbwheel-lever, and the two draw tubes have scales for ease of setting tube length. These controls rack the microscope up to a full 24 inches high at full height. The microscope has a full 360 degree thumbwheel driven rotating mechanical stage with concentric thumb-wheel "X - Y" controls, vernier scales to the X, Y & rotation and a slide clamp with clips. There is also a pair of fine controls to centre the stage. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion adjustment and thumbwheel driven rotation. The large plano-concave mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination, and the stand is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial number. This number, 3952, dates it to 1895. The microscope comes with a host of accessories including a triple nosepiece changer, limb-mounted forceps, oblique illuminator and a small tubular microscope. The eyepiece accessories include 4 different power "top hat" type eyepiece, an insert for conventional oculars, a micrometer eyepiece, Penfold eyepiece, a drawing eyepiece with 2 swinging filters and a clip-on eye shield. A rotating selenite stage with 3 selenites in their brass can, are also fitted into the case. Six objectives (1 ½ in, 24mm, 12mm & 6mm Holos, 4mm Apo & 1/12 in oil imm.), all in their brass cans and a nosepiece analyser, are fitted into the case. The sub-stage accessories include a lever-operated iris and swing-out filter holder with RMS threads for the condensers, a Parachromatic condenser, a Holos immersion parabolic oil condenser, a poleriser which plugs in under the sub-stage and a small box containing the stops and filters for the sub-stage condenser. The substantial original case has detent catches to the top and bottom of the door, a lock (key missing) and a knob on the door front, with leather handle to the top. The instrument is in excellent working condition, mechanically & optically. An extremely rare example, and a top class microscope, the best made by Watson at the end of the 19th century.
A
fine “SCHOOL”
microscope
by W.WATSON
& SONS, 313 High Holborn, London in its original
mahogany case. This instrument was designed
mainly for educational purposes. This all brass microscope is
engraved on the foot by Watson and has the
serial number 5109 which dates it
to 1899. It has drawtube and rack & pinion main focussing.
The microscope comes with accessories, which
include 3 objectives (1/6, 2/3 & 1 inch), in lacquered brass cans
and an iris diaphragm sub-stage condenser. It has two eyepieces and
it has a square stage with slides clips. The plano-concave mirror
is in good condition both sides. The microscope,
which has all original lacquer, is in very good condition and comes
in a fitted mahogany case with all its accessories. The case
has a leather handle and brass hinges.
The 20th century
At the turn of the century, Watson had a good range of microscope models for sale, providing for the cheaper “school” model through to the grand “Van Heurck” models – click on one of the thumbnails below (and be patient) to view the full sized Watson advert.
An
early WATSON EDINBURGH model “F”
microscope, with accessories in its original
fitted mahogany case. The main focus is by
rack & pinion and the draw tube is calibrated for easy setting of
tube length. The fine focus is by micrometer thumbwheel-lever. The
microscope has a plain square stage with
slide clips. The mechanical, sub-stage has
thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion adjustment. The main
sub-stage accessory comprise a barrel operated iris and replaceable
general purpose type condenser with RMS thread. The plano-concave
mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique
illumination, and the stand is engraved with
the makers name, address and instrument serial number. This number,
5397, dates it to about 1900. The
microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and comes with three
objectives (1/6, 2/3 & 1 inch), all in lacquered brass cans, and
two eyepieces, (X6 & X10). The case has a leather handle,
brass hinges to the door, catch and original lock but no key. The
whole instrument is in good condition, mechanically & optically,
with all original finishes.
ANTIQUE
WATSON FRAM
MICROSCOPE - A very
comprehensive Watson Fram monocular microscope,
in its original fitted case, dated around 1900
and engraved round the top of the base "W
WATSON & SONS. 313 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON ". It has a
sub-stage plano-concave mirror, a swing out
centring mechanical sub stage with Abbe type condenser, filter holder
& lever operated iris and a horseshoe stage with measuring matrix
and stage clips. The slide-out drawtube is
calibrated. The main focus is by rack &
pinion and thumbwheel fine focus. This microscope
is in excellent mechanical working order. The accessories
include, 3 eyepieces, 2-signed objectives (1/6 & 2/3 inch) and a
twin nosepiece. The overall finish is original and very good. The
instrument comes in its original mahogany case
with lock & key.
A
WATSON Royal microscope,
with accessories in its original fitted mahogany case.
One of the best models made by Watson. The main focus and first stage
draw tube is by rack & pinion and the drawtubes are calibrated
for easy setting of tube length. The fine focus is by micrometer
thumbwheel-lever. The microscope has a mechanical stage with
thumb-wheel "X - Y" control, rotating upper and slide
clips. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled
rack & pinion adjustment and swings out for ease of changing the
sub-stage accessories. The sub-stage accessories comprise a lever
operated iris and swing-out filter holder Abbe condenser. The
plano-convex mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination,
and the stand is engraved with the makers
name, address and instrument serial number. This number, 5921,
dates it to about 1900. The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer
and comes with accessories including three
objectives (1/6, 1/12 & 1 inch), all in lacquered brass cans, two
eyepieces. The case has a leather
handle, brass hinges to the door. The whole instrument is in very
good condition, mechanically & optically, with all original
finishes. A top class microscope from the turn of the 19th/20th
century.
A
WATSON Royal microscope,
with accessories in its original fitted mahogany case.
One of the best models made by Watson. The main focus and first stage
draw tube is by rack & pinion and the drawtubes are calibrated
for easy setting of tube length. The fine focus is by micrometer
thumbwheel-lever. The microscope has a mechanical stage with
thumb-wheel "X - Y" control, rotating upper and slide
clips. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled
rack & pinion adjustment and swings out for ease of changing the
sub-stage accessories. The sub-stage accessories comprise a lever
operated iris and swing-out filter holder Universal condenser. The
plano-convex mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination,
and the stand is engraved with the makers
name, address and instrument serial number. This number, 6511,
dates it to about 1902. The microscope has a double nosepiece changer
and comes with accessories including three
objectives (1/6, 2/3 & 1 inch), all in lacquered brass cans,
three eyepieces, (Nos. 4, 5 & 6). The case
has a leather handle, brass hinges to the door and original working
lock & key. The whole instrument is in very good condition,
mechanically & optically, with all original finishes. A top class
microscope from the first few years of the 20th century.
A
WATSON EDINBURGH model “H”
microscope, with accessories in its
original fitted mahogany case. One of the
best models made by Watson. The main focus is by rack & pinion
and the drawtube is calibrated for easy
setting of tube length. The fine focus is
by micrometer thumbwheel-lever. The microscope has a mechanical stage
with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control, each with silvered
verniers, and rotating upper stage with slide clips. The mechanical,
centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion
adjustment and swings out for ease of changing the sub-stage
accessories. The sub-stage accessories comprise a lever operated iris
and swing-out filter holder Abbe condenser. The plano-concave mirror
is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination,
and the stand is engraved with the makers
name, address and instrument serial number. This number, 6561,
dates it to about 1904. The microscope has a twin nosepiece changer
and comes with accessories including two
objectives (1/6 & 2/3 inch), in lacquered brass cans, two
eyepieces (No.3 & No.6), an Abbe sub-stage condenser with lever
iris and swing-out filter ring with blue filter and a lacquered brass
can containing 9 dark ground and oblique illumination stops.
The case has a leather handle, brass
hinges and catch to the door. The whole instrument is in very good
condition, mechanically & optically. A top class microscope from
the turn of the 19th/20th century.
AN ANTIQUE EDINBURGH PETROLOGICAL MICROSCOPE by Watson & Sons
Not only can you get the best view of your mineral slides form this microscope but you can also measure the angles as the Victorians saw them on this rare, full-blown petrological microscope which is signed on the stand "W. WATSON & SONS, 313 High Holborn, London. " This all brass Victorian microscope is numbered "8021" which dates it to about 1907. It has the built-in polarising prism on a slide above the objective and calibrated rotating stage with slide clips. There is a twin nosepiece and course focussing by twin wheel rack & pinion. The fine focussing is by a calibrated wheel on the elbow of the limb. It comes with 1/6, 1 & 2 inch objectives in cans and a Holos x20 & B & C eyepieces and even an immersion oil bottle. It also has a large calibrated sub stage analyser as well as the sub-stage bullseye and iris mounted on a swing-out mechanical sub-stage. The plano-concave mirror is also mounted on a swing out arm. The whole instrument and accessories come in the original fitted mahogany case with lock and key. Even the case door has the original maker's name and logo.
A
WATSON Circuit Stage Van Heurck
microscope, with accessories, in a fitted
mahogany case. The main focus and first
stage draw tube is by rack & pinion. Sub-stage fine control and
fine focus is by thumbwheel-lever, and the two draw tubes have scales
for ease of setting tube length. The microscope
has a full 360 degree rotating mechanical stage
with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control & vernier scales
to the X, Y & rotation and a slide clamp with clips. There is
also a pair of fine controls to centre the stage. The mechanical,
centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel
controlled rack & pinion adjustment and holds a lever-operated
iris and swing-out filter holder with RMS threads for the
condensers. The plano-convex mirror
is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number. This number, 9788, dates
it to 1907. The microscope comes with a host of accessories
including a quadruple nosepiece changer, five objectives (1/6, 2/3, 1
& 2 in. Paras & a 6 mm Holos) a "top hat" Holos
eyepiece, an insert for conventional oculars, a micrometer eyepiece,
a X10 Holos, X20, X10, X8, X7, & X6 conventional oculars.
The sub-stage accessories are a universal condenser, a Holos
immersion parabolic oil condenser and a polariser. There is a
nosepiece analyser with brass caps, a live box and a wet trough, also
fitted into the case. The substantial original case
has the original working lock & key. The instrument is in
excellent working condition, mechanically & optically, with all
original finishes. A top class microscope, from the first decade of
the 20th century.
W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.
AN
ANTIQUE MICROSCOPE OIL LAMP by W. WATSON & SONS Ltd.The lamp base is a cast brass ring with vertical square section brass rod attached. The vertical rod has a further brass sleeve with circular bracket for the lamp and shade for vertical adjustment. The flat glass reservoir holding the lamp oil has a glass stopper and brass burner. The chimney has a brass lug to plug into the bracket holding the burner. The oil burner with adjustable wick is screwed into a brass ring on top of the oil well. The chimney has a replaceable glass window. The pillar is 9 1/2 inches tall with a lifting ring on top. The height of the lamp can be extended by sliding the well assembly up the pillar, to make the overall height over 18 inches. This should be high enough to suit most microscopes. The mahogany case has a brass carrying handle, lock but no key and two catches. An extract from a Watson catalogue explains more. The lamp is in excellent working order, and provides vintage style illumination for any antique microscope (Van Heurck not included).
A
fine antique WATSON EDINBURGH “H”
microscope, with accessories, in its
fitted mahogany case. The stand is engraved with the makers name and
address, W. WATSON & SONS, 313 HIGH
HOLBORN, LONDON and instrument serial
number 10148, which
dates it to about 1907. Placed over the top of the address
is the retailers label, WALLACE HEATON Ltd,
LONDON W.1. The main focus is by rack & pinion and
fine focus is by thumbwheel micrometer. The microscope has a triple
nosepiece changer, a mechanical stage
with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control, ”X-Y”
verniers and slide clips. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage
has thumbwheel controlled fine adjustment and holds a lever-operated
iris, Abbe type condenser and swing-out filter holder. The
plano-concave mirror is on a swinging limb for oblique illumination.
The microscope comes with accessories
comprising a polariser, an analyser, a set of filters and stops in a
lacquered brass can, three signed objectives (1 inch, ½ inch &
1/6 inch Paras, in matching signed brass cans) and two eyepieces
(nos. 6 & 10). The fitted mahogany case
has a mahogany& brass handle, brass hinges to the door and a
working lock & key. The whole instrument
is in excellent working condition, mechanically & optically, with
all fine original finishes. As good an example of this fine model as
you will find.
An
ANTIQUE WATSON FRAM MICROSCOPE
- A very nice Watson Fram
monocular microscope, with accessories, in
its original case, engraved at the top of
the base "FRAM
10213",
dating to about 1908. It has a good sub-stage plano-concave mirror, a
swing out mechanical sub stage with Abbe condenser, lever operated
iris and swing-out filter holder. It has a full thumbwheel controlled
mechanical stage, with slide clips. The
main focus is by rack & pinion and it has thumbwheel fine focus.
The body finish is a rich golden lacquer.
The accessories include, 2 eyepieces, 3
objectives (1/4, 1 & 2 inch) in matching lacquered brass
cans, a free-standing bullseye condenser and a triple nosepiece
changer. The overall finish is very good. The instrument comes in
it's original mahogany case with lock &
key. With all the mechanical fittings this microscope is an Edinburgh
“H” model except for the lightweight foot.
A
WATSON FRAM
MICROSCOPE - A very nice
Watson Fram monocular microscope, with
accessories, in its original case, engraved
at the top of the base "FRAM
11058". The number 11058
dates it to about 1909. It has a sub-stage plano-concave mirror,
a swing out sub stage with Abbe condenser, and a square stage, with
slide clips. The main focus is by rack & pinion and it has
thumbwheel fine focus. The body finish is a
rich golden lacquer. The accessories
include, 3 eyepieces (X6, X10 & X15), 2 objectives (1/6 & 2/3
inch) in lacquered brass cans and a twin nosepiece. The overall
finish is very good. The instrument comes in it's original mahogany
case with lock & key.
A
rare WATSON Edinburgh
microscope, with accessories in its
original fitted mahogany case. Although at
first sight, this microscope could be mistaken for the Edinburgh “H”
model, the layout of the stage controls
suggest a different type. The “X-Y” controls are set at
an angle to the stage and are concentric, allowing a perfectly flush
stage in front of the limb. This has the advantage that culture
plates or continuous samples can be examined. The opening in the
stage is also extra-large, with a width of some 2 ½ inches.
The stage is listed in Watson’s 1913 catalogue as the “SCOP”
stage. The main focus is by rack & pinion and the draw tube is
calibrated for easy setting of tube length. The fine focus is by
micrometer thumbwheel-lever. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage
has thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion adjustment and swings out
for ease of changing the sub-stage accessories. The main sub-stage
accessories comprise a lever operated iris and swing-out filter
holder with two stage Universal condenser. The plano-convex mirror is
on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination, and the stand is
engraved with the makers name, address and
instrument serial number. This number,
12403, dates it to 1910. The
microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and comes with accessories
including three objectives (1/6, 1 & 2 inch), all in lacquered
brass cans, three eyepieces, (a No. 0, a No. 1 & a No. 4).
The case has a brass & mahogany
handle, brass hinges to the door and original working lock & key.
The whole instrument is in excellent condition, mechanically &
optically, with all original finishes. A very rare, top class
microscope, from the first decade of the 20th century.
A
WATSON Royal microscope,
with accessories in its original fitted mahogany case.
One of the best models made by Watson. The
main focus and first stage draw tube is by rack & pinion and the
draw tubes are calibrated for easy setting
of tube length. The fine focus is by micrometer thumbwheel-lever. The
microscope has a mechanical stage with
thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and a slide clamp with clips.
The mechanical, centring, sub-stage has thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion adjustment and swings out for ease of changing the sub-stage
accessories. The main sub-stage accessories comprise a lever operated
iris and swing-out filter holder with RMS threads to take either the
two stage Universal condenser or the dark ground. The plano-convex
mirror is on a swing-out limb for oblique
illumination, and the stand is engraved
with the makers name, address and instrument serial number. This
number, 12642, dates it to 1910.
The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and comes with
accessories including three objectives (1/6
& 2/3 Paras & 1/12 oil immersion), all in matching lacquered
brass cans, three "top hat" type eyepieces, (a Holos 7, a
No. 2 & a No. 4). The case has a
brass & mahogany handle, brass hinges to the door and original
working lock & key. The whole instrument is in the very best
condition, mechanically & optically, with all original finishes.
A top class microscope from the first decade of the 20th century It
looks and feels as though it has never been used. I am sure you will
not find a better example.
A
WATSON ROYAL microscope,
as illustrated in Watson’s 1905
catalogue, with accessories and Wenham
binocular body, in a fitted mahogany case.
The main focus and monocular body first stage draw tube is by rack &
pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel-lever. The binocular
body tube inter-ocular separation is by thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion. The microscope has a mechanical
stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and a slide clamp
with clips, a swing-out mechanical centring sub-stage, a Plano-convex
mirror which is good, both sides and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number. This number, 12810,
dates it to about 1910. The microscope comes with three objectives
(16mm Holos, 1/8 and 2 inch Parachromatic) in lacquered brass cans, 2
"top hat" type eyepieces, a pair of X6 eyepieces with
adapters, a No. 1 indicating eyepiece and a No. 7 variable power
Holos eyepiece. Sub-stage accessories include a universal condenser
with lever-operated iris and swing-out filter holder, a Holos Oil
condenser with lever-operated iris and swing-out filter holder and a
can of coloured filters and various shaped dark ground stops. The
case has a wood and brass handle, brass
hinges and a working lock with key and even the original spanner to
adjust the compass joint. The whole instrument is in excellent
working condition with all original finishes.
A
WATSON Edinburgh “F”
microscope, with accessories in its
original fitted mahogany case. The main
focus and first stage draw tube is by rack & pinion and the draw
tube is calibrated for easy setting of tube length. The fine focus is
by micrometer thumbwheel-lever. The microscope
has a plain square stage with Watson mechanical overstage
with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control and a slide clamp. The
mechanical, swing-out, sub-stage has
thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion adjustment and swings out for
ease of changing the sub-stage accessories. The main sub-stage
accessories comprise a lever operated iris and swing-out filter
holder and Abbe type condenser. The plano-concave mirror
is on a swing-out limb for oblique illumination, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial
number. This number, 13185, dates
it to about 1911. The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and
comes with three objectives (1/6 & 2/3 Paras & 1/12 oil
immersion), all in matching lacquered brass cans, and two eyepieces,
(a No. 2 & a No. 4). The case has
a brass & mahogany handle, brass hinges to the door and original
working lock & key. The whole instrument is in very good
condition, mechanically & optically, with all original finishes.
–
A
W.WATSON & SONS “PRAXIS”
microscope, with
accessories in a fitted oak case. The
main focus is by rack & pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel
micrometer. The microscope has a swing out
mechanical sub-stage, the mirror is on a fixed limb, and the brass
continental style flat “Y” stand is engraved with the
makers name, address and instrument serial number 18454
(which dates it to about 1915) and the model
type. The square stage has spring
clips for slides. The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and
Abbe type substage condenser with swing-out filter stage. The
instrument comes with accessories
comprising three objectives (1/6 inch, 2/3 inch & 1/4 inch), a x6
and a No. 5 eyepiece. The case has a
leather handle, brass hinges to the door and its original working
lock & key. The whole instrument is in excellent working
condition, mechanically & optically. - £325
A
W.WATSON & SONS “Mining
Student” microscope,
with accessories in a fitted mahogany case. The main focus is by rack
& pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel micrometer. The
microscope has a swing out mechanical
sub-stage, the mirror is on a swinging
limb, and the stand is engraved with the makers name,
address and instrument serial number 20010
(which dates it to about 1917), the agents
name and address and the model type.
The circular rotating stage has a 360 degree scale engraved around
the edge to serve as a goniometer, spring clips for slides and a
vernier fixed to the stand. The microscope has a twin nosepiece
changer and Nicol prism analyser &
quartz wedge fitted on sliding shoes into the body tube just above
the nosepiece. The instrument comes with accessories comprising two
objectives (1 inch, & 1/6 inch, in lacquered brass cans)
and a micrometer eyepiece, which has a locating lug to fit the slot
at the top of the draw tube, and a
sub-stage polarising Abbe type condenser with 360 degree calibration
and pointer. The case has a brass handle,
brass hinges to the door and its original lock. The whole instrument
is in excellent working condition, mechanically & optically.
A
WATSON Metallurgical Van Heurck
microscope, with accessories in a fitted
mahogany case. This model, serial number 23035,
made during WWI was named the “MINT
METALLURGICAL” microscope. A table of powers on the inside of
the case door is also dated 1917.
The main focus and first stage draw tube is by rack & pinion and fine focus is by micrometer thumbwheel-lever. Both draw tubes are engraved with scales and the microscope stands 24 inches high when fully extended. The microscope has a mechanical stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y" control & vernier scales and a slide clamp with clip, on a circular rotating stage, which is clamped by thumbscrew beneath the stage. The stage is engraved 0 – 360 degrees and has a vernier scale, but due to the configuration of the stage controls, will only rotate through a total of 275 degrees. The whole stage assembly is adjustable in the vertical plane by thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion, to allow focussing of the (opaque) sample without disturbing the transmitted light path. The instrument, which is designed for examining opaque samples, is not fitted with any sub-stage or mirror. Instead, the microscope has a nosepiece vertical illuminator with iris and prism on a rotating shaft. This allows for the light (entering the body tube at right angles to the optical path, to be stopped down and focussed onto the sample through the microscope objective. The microscope comes with accessories including three objectives (1/8 & 2/3 Paras, & 1/12 oil immersion) an eyepiece converter and 4 different oculars. There is also a microscope slide case containing about a dozen prepared metal samples. The main case has a brass and wooden handle, brass hinges to the door and a working lock but no key. The whole instrument is in excellent working condition, mechanically & optically, with all original finishes. A top class microscope, from the early 20th century.
A
W.WATSON & SONS “PRAXIS”
petrological microscope, with
accessories in a fitted mahogany case.
The main focus is by rack & pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel micrometer. The microscope has a swing out mechanical sub-stage, the mirror is on a swinging limb, and the stand is engraved with the makers name, address and instrument serial number 24625 (which dates it to about 1919) and the model type. The circular rotating stage has a 360-degree scale engraved around the edge and a vernier fixed to the stand to serve as a goniometer and with spring clips for slides. The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer and Nicol prism analyser & slot for quartz wedge fitted on sliding shoes into the body tube just above the nosepiece. The instrument comes with accessories comprising three objectives (1 1/2 inch, 2/3 inch & 1/6 inch, in brass cans), a x10 eyepiece and a cross web eyepiece, which has a locating lug to fit the slot at the top of the drawtube, and a sub-stage polarising condenser with 360-degree calibration and pointer. The case has a leather handle, brass hinges to the door and its original lock. The whole instrument is in excellent working condition, mechanically & optically. –
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope.
This vintage microscope is engraved
on the front of the body tube with the
makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.,
LONDON, model and serial number "SERVICE",
24929,
dating to 1919. It has a calibrated extending draw tube,
rack & pinion main focus, micrometer
fine focus, triple nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage.
Beneath the stage is a swing-out sub-stage, which holds an “Abbe”
type condenser, lever operated iris
diaphragm, and swing out filter holder. The plano-concave mirror,
which is good both sides is mounted from an arm below the stage. The
microscope comes with 3 objectives (1/6 para, 2/3 para & 1in
para) and one eyepiece (x10). The whole microscope is in good working
order both mechanically and optically, and is a fine example of the
early version of the Service microscope, which was only introduced in
1919.
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope.
This vintage microscope is labelled
on the front of the body tube with the
makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.,
LONDON, model and serial number "SERVICE",
24991,
dating to 1919. It has a calibrated extending eyepiece tube,
rack & pinion main focus, fine focus,
twin nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage. Beneath the
stage is a swing-out sub-stage, which comprises; “Abbe”
type condenser and swing out filter holder,
and plano-concave mirror, which is good both sides. The microscope
comes with 2 objectives (1/6 para. & 2/3 para) and an eyepiece
(x8). The microscope and accessories come in a fitted mahogany case
with carrying handle and lock but no key.
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope A
very serviceable Watson "Service" microscope. This vintage
microscope is labelled on the front of the
body tube with the makers name, address, W.WATSON
& SONS Ltd., LONDON, model and serial number
"SERVICE", 25053,
dating to about 1920. It has a calibrated extending eyepiece tube,
rack & pinion main focus, fine focus, triple nosepiece and slide
clips above the square stage. Beneath the stage is a swing-out
mechanical sub-stage and plano-concave mirror, which is good both
sides. The microscope comes with 3
objectives (2/3 para., 1/6 para. & 1/12 oil imm.) each in their
own brass cans. The 1/6 & 2/3 are labelled Watson and the 1/12 is
a Seibert. There are 2 eyepieces (x10 & x6) and a substage Abbe
type condenser with iris diaphragm and filter/stop holder. The
microscope and parts come in a fitted
mahogany case with carrying handle, lock
and key.
A
WATSON Metallurgical EDINBURGH model
microscope, with accessories, in a fitted mahogany case.
This model, serial number 34601,
was made in 1925. A table of powers on the inside of the case door is
also dated 1925. The main focus is by rack & pinion and fine
focus is by micrometer thumbwheel-lever.
The draw tube is engraved with scales and
the microscope stands 18 inches high when fully extended.
The microscope has a mechanical stage with
thumb-wheel "X - Y" control &. the whole stage assembly
is adjustable in the vertical plane by thumbwheel controlled rack &
pinion, to allow focussing of the (opaque) sample without disturbing
the transmitted light path above the stage. The instrument, which is
designed primarily for examining opaque samples, is fitted with a
sub-stage mirror for normal viewing. As
well as a nosepiece condenser vertical illuminator with counter
balance weight, for early electrical illumination, the microscope has
a conventional Vertical Illuminator in a matching lacquered brass
can. . This allows for the light (entering the body tube at
right angles to the optical path, to be stopped down and focussed
onto the sample through the microscope objective. The microscope
comes with accessories including three
objectives (1/6 & 2/3, & 1 1/2 inch Paras) in matching brass
cans and 3 different oculars. The main case
has brass hinges to the door and a working lock & key. The whole
instrument is in excellent working condition, mechanically &
optically, with all original finishes. A top class microscope, from
the early 20th century.
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope.
This vintage microscope is labelled
on the front of the body tube with the
makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.,
LONDON, model and serial number "SERVICE",
36105,
dating to 1925. It has a calibrated extending eyepiece tube,
rack & pinion main focus, fine focus,
twin nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage. Beneath the
stage is a swing-out sub-stage, which comprises; “Abbe”
type condenser, swing out filter holder,
and plano-concave mirror, which is good both sides. The microscope
comes with 2 objectives (1/6 para & 2/3 para) and an eyepiece
(x10).
A
vintage WATSON PETROLOGICAL microscope.
A Watson Service model Petrological microscope
with accessories in it's fitted case. The
name and address W Watson & Sons, Ltd.,
London, is engraved on the wide body
tube along with the serial number 40247,
which dates the instrument to 1927. The circular rotating and
centring stage, has 360 degree engraving and a fixed vernier
with slide clips. There is rack & pinion main
focus and thumbwheel micrometer fine focus
and a twin nosepiece. The body tube splits
by way of a lever-operated clamp, allowing the top section to be
removed. The extending drawtube is pegged and has a guide slot to
prevent rotation as well as an extension scale.
There is a Nicol prism analyser on a sliding shoe and a Quartz wedge
(?) on another shoe, both built into the body tube just above the
nose. The microscope
has a swing-out sub-stage to hold the
goniometer polarizer. The plano-concave
mirror is in good condition both sides. The microscope comes with a
wide range of accessories including
sub-stage polariser, two eyepieces (one of which is a micrometer
ocular) and three objectives (1 inch, 2/3 & 1/6 inch) all in
brass black lacquered cans, and a detachable twin nosepiece changer.
All this comes in a mahogany case with
leather handle, brass hinges & lock and the Watson log on the
front of the door. The whole instrument is in
very good working order and is cosmetically fine.
A
WATSON EDINBURGH “H”
microscope, with accessories, in a fitted
mahogany case. The main focus is by rack &
pinion and fine focus is by
thumbwheel-lever micrometer. The microscope
has a mechanical stage with thumb-wheel "X
- Y" control and a slide clamp with clip. The mechanical,
centring, swing-out sub-stage has
thumbwheel controlled fine adjustment and holds a lever-operated
iris, Para condenser and swing-out filter holder. The plano-convex
mirror is on a plug-in limb, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address, model type, and instrument
serial number 40319,
which dates it to about 1925. The microscope comes with accessories
comprising three objectives (1/8, 1/6 & 2/3 Paras, in matching
brass cans) and two eyepieces, a X15 and a X6. The case
has a leather covered handle, brass hinges to the door and a working
lock & key and the trade plate for Broadhurst Clarkson on the
inside of the door. The whole instrument is in excellent working
condition, mechanically & optically, with all original finishes.
A
QUASI-VAN HEURCK WATSON EDINBURGH
“H” STUDENT microscope,
with accessories, in a fitted mahogany case. The main focus is by
rack & pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel-lever micrometer.
The tube length is set by a double extending, thumbwheel Van Heurck
type control. The microscope has a
detachable mechanical stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y"
control, a slide clamp and verniers for both axis. The mechanical,
centring, swing-out sub-stage has thumbwheel
controlled fine adjustment and holds a calibrated lever-operated
iris, Universal condenser, and two swing-out filter holders, one with
blue filter and the other with a dark ground stop. The plano-convex
mirror is on a plug-in limb, and the stand
is engraved with the makers name, address, model type and instrument
serial number 40355, which
dates it to about 1925. The microscope comes with accessories
comprising three Holos objectives (8 mm, 6 mm & 3 inch, in
matching lacquered brass cans) and two eyepieces, a X4 and a X6.
As well as the Van Heurck tube set the wide body accommodates a
removable single extending wide eye tube, which holds a Watson
eyepiece micrometer. The case has a leather
covered handle, brass hinges to the door and a working lock &
key. The whole instrument is in excellent working condition,
mechanically & optically, with all original finishes and although
the stand is engraved “Edinburgh Student H”, it is almost
up to the standard of a No.1 Van Heurck.
A
vintage WATSON KIMA
microscope.
This vintage microscope is labelled
on the front of the body tube with the
makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.,
LONDON, model and serial number "KIMA",
44882,
dating to 1929. It has rack & pinion main focus,
fine focus, twin nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage.
Beneath the stage is an “Abbe” type condenser
with lever-operated iris, swing out filter holder and plano-concave
mirror, which is good both sides. The microscope comes with 2
objectives (1/6 para & 2/3 para) and an eyepiece (x10).
A
vintage microscope, possibly one of the last EDINBURGH
“H”, models made by WATSON
, with accessories in it’s fitted mahogany case.
The main focus is by rack & pinion and
fine focus is by thumbwheel-micrometer.
The drawtube is calibrated on one side
“with nosepiece” and on the other
side “without nosepiece”. The microscope
has a triple nosepiece and mechanical
stage with thumb-wheel "X - Y"
control and slide clips. The mechanical, centring, sub-stage
has thumbwheel controlled fine adjustment and holds a lever-operated
iris, Para condenser and swing-out filter holder. All the
thumbwheels, handles and other white-metal parts seem to be
silver-plated, not chrome plated which is extremely rare. The
Plano-concave mirror is on a plug-in limb, and the stand is engraved
with the makers name & address, model
type and instrument serial number
53219, which dates it to
about 1933. The microscope comes with accessories
comprising five objectives (1/4, 1/6, 1/12, 2/3 &2in Paras, in
matching bakelite cans) and five eyepieces (X5, X6, X8, X10 and a
X12) and a swing-out Abbe type sub-stage condenser above a lever
operated iris. The case has a
leather covered handle, brass hinges to the door and a working lock &
key. The whole instrument is in excellent working condition,
mechanically & optically, with all original finishes.
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope with accessories in its fitted
mahogany case. This vintage microscope is labelled on the front
of the body tube with the makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS
Ltd., LONDON, model and serial number
"SERVICE", 60672,
dating to 1935. The calibration chart on
the inside of the case door confirms that it was made in 1935, as
well as showing the magnifications for the lenses. It has a
calibrated extending eyepiece tube, rack & pinion main focus,
fine focus, triple nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage.
A full mechanical overstage with verniers
is also present. Beneath the stage is a mechanical sub-stage, which
comprises; “Abbe” type condenser with lever-operated
iris, swing out filter holder and plano-concave mirror, which is good
both sides. The microscope comes with 3 objectives (1/6, 2/3 &
1/12 oil imm.) all in bakelite containers and 2 eyepieces (x10 &
x6), blank slides, cover slips, immersion oil, coloured filters, the
original handbook and even the original screw to hold the microscope
in the case. The microscope is housed in a mahogany case
with brass hinges, leather handle and working lock and key. A truly
comprehensive vintage Watson outfit in excellent working order
A
vintage WATSON SERVICE
microscope.
This vintage microscope is labelled
on the front of the body tube with the
makers name, address, W.WATSON & SONS Ltd.,
LONDON, model and serial number "SERVICE",
77809,
dating to 1942. It has a calibrated extending eyepiece tube,
rack & pinion main focus, fine focus,
triple nosepiece and slide clips above the square stage. Beneath the
stage is a mechanical sub-stage, which comprises; “Abbe”
type condenser with lever-operated iris,
swing out filter holder and plano-concave mirror, which is good both
sides. The microscope comes with 3 objectives (1/8 para, 1/6 para &
2/3 para) and an eyepiece (x6).
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