Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 515 (W. Watson & Sons; Educational microscope; c. 1898)

W. Watson & Sons were opticians and camera makers trading from London and Edinburgh. The company was originally founded in 1837 by William Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued at this address until 1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the name was changed to W. Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W. Watson & Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co., and in 1908 the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published an advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for medical, industrial, and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970, the manufacture of microscopes was over. Microscope 515 is an “Educational microscope” made by Watson. The instrument is engraved with “W. WATSON & SONS, 313 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON”, the serial number 4239 and should be dated to c. 1898. This instrument was described in the firm’s catalogues as “very efficient for student’s use” (Figure 1). Both the polarising condenser and the eyepiece are not originals of the instrument.

Figure 1. Watson’s educational microscope as engraved in the 1884 and 1896 catalogues of the firm. The instrument in the figure is fitted with a wheel of diaphragms but could be sold with a fitting to screw into stage from under side to carry a condenser.