Antique W. Watson & Sons Service Microscope in Brass circa 1925 with Case

Here we have an interesting and visually appealing vintage Service microscope by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London. This example can be dated to around 1925 based on the sequential Watson production number of 40513.

It's also complimented by a quality wooden storage case with a working lock and key. The Service model was essentially the most popular benchmark model of Watson's range of microscope offerings in the inter-war period, first appearing in the Watson catalogue around 1919 just after the end of the Great War. This particular example has got all-brass fittings with a brass main tube and upper stage, which further confirms its origins in the 1920s/1930s because lacquered brass finishes were generally phased out by Watson by the 1940s in favour of nickel-plated finishes. This example is in original condition with some additions and changes that have been made over the years.

The paint finish is a little worn in places with some chipping to the base and red undercoat showing through in a couple of spots where the item has been handled over time, giving the piece a lovely antique feel. There's also a bit of tarnishing imbuing a lovely patina to the brass-work. It's got a great look about it and may be most suitable as a curio or display item in a library or bookcase, even though it is perfectly capable of being used as a hobbyist microscope.

The brass in particular presents really well with a wonderful mellow golden colour. This Watson Service microscope comes with one eyepiece - 6x Watson No. 2 and a useful set of three progressive objectives on its black/chrome triple turret.

2/3rds - Ogilvy & Baker - 1/6th - Watson - 4mm - R J Beck. The upper has a brass eyepiece draw-tube with graduation markers, rack and pinion main focus which is pretty smooth in operation and the vernier fine focus also moves freely.

The stage is a Watson item with a pair of standard stage clips. Turning to the sub-stage, we have a swing-out Abbe-style condenser in brass which has a working iris to control lighting levels, and there's also a swing-out holder allowing coloured or dark-field filters to be inserted. This swing-out condenser is a later addition because there's also a historic pinion wheel still in position sub-stage which would have been for adjustment of the original condenser mechanism, which is now absent. The plano-concave mirror is in good condition on its adjustable brass support arm and gimbal set-up. This is a visually appealing example of Watson's Service model with the bonus of additional brass-work to the main tube, whereas standard Watson Service models usually have a black-painted finish to the main tube.

Please also note the following points regarding condition. Signs of wear to the paintwork. Minor tarnishing to the brass-work. Condenser is a later replacement and seems to be very slightly mis-aligned at the home position, but lighting is still functional.

There are no canisters for the three objective lenses. Owing to the weight of the microscope, it will be dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Watson & Sons Service Microscope in Brass circa 1925 with Case" is in sale since Friday, November 1, 2019.

This item is in the category "Antiques\Science/Medicine\Scientific Instruments". The seller is "arcboutant" and is located in Glasgow.

This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Antigua and barbuda, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Cayman islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Grenada, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Montserrat, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Paraguay, Reunion, Turks and caicos islands, Aruba, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Chile, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, El salvador, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam, Brazil.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Material: Brass
Type: Microscope
Modified Item: No
Sub-Type: Microscopes