Vintage W. Watson & Sons Bactil High-Power Binocular Microscope c1948, Cased

This listing is for a vintage original Bactil High-Power binocular model microscope by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London that's in very good period condition and I hope that the listing photos do it justice. The instrument dates to 1948 based on the sequential Watson production number of 90670, which is engraved onto the binocular unit and dating evidence is confirmed because the original Watson guarantee card is still in the case, an increasingly rare find these days. It's probabaly the most complete, original and best condition Bactil I've seen from this early post-war period.

This early post-war example is in all-original condition and has been really well looked after by its former custodians, so well in fact that it looks to have hardly been used. This example also benefits from an excellent set of period-correct lenses by Watson, an original full mechanical over-stage, the correct larger non-mechanical stage which is so often missing and the correct fully-fitted period hardwood storage case.

It's got superb period details including the main tube, binocular unit and all the thumb-wheels which are showing no signs of age-related spotting. This Watson High-Power binocular example is a Watson Bactil model that was ordered from the Watson factory with the addition of a binocular head in addition to the standard monocular tube. This example has no significant signs of wear and both coarse and fine focus move nice and freely with just the right amount of resistance and the instrument holds in position in terms of its main optical tube and on inclination as it should. Turning to the optics, this example comes fitted with both monocular and binocular heads together with eyepieces that with good illumination produce stunning images, as follows. 6x magnification - Watson - 10x magnification - Watson.

The same 6x and 10x eyepieces can also be used in the monocular head and there's also a single 15x eyepiece. The monocular unit has an integral draw-tube with graduation markings and the binocular unit is adjustable for focus by twisting the right-hand eyepiece tube, with eyepiece separation adjusted via a right-sided thumb-wheel. 40mm - Watson Para low power - 4x magnification with period Watson Bakelite canister - 2/3rd inch - Watson Parachromatic -10x with period Watson Bakelite canister. 1/6th inch - Watson Parachromatic - 40x with period Watson Bakelite canister - 1/12th inch - Watson Versalic oil immersion - 100x with period Watson Bakelite canister (not tested with oil).

Overall, the range of magnification provided by this instrument therefore ranges from about 24x when using the low power 4x objective to a theoretical 1,500x with very bright illumination and oil immersion, when using the 15x monocular eyepiece and the 1/12th inch objective. The rectangular mechanical stage is an original Watson item - the stage has two armatures for retaining specimens one of which is sprung and in addition there are two small spring-steel clips for holding slides steady while the x/y axes are being moved around - these are even showing traces of the original factory bluing. This slide-retention system is excellent for holding slides during inclined viewing, with freely running x/y controls also offering fine control of specimen positioning. The mechanical stage can be removed very easily just by sliding it forward with the y-axis thumb-wheel, then manually pulling it off the dovetails.

The over-size non-mechanical stage can then be located onto the dovetails and just slides into position smoothly, it's also fitted with two correct slide retention clips and looks like it's never been used. Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson universal condenser with centering via two thumb-screws on a height adjustable rack and pinion mount with thumb-wheel control and it's also got a swing-out feature allowing easy swapping or maintenance of the condenser unit - the locating clips for the swing-out mechanism needs to be secured manually to ensure that the condenser is located correctly.

There's a working iris to control lighting levels that's got a nice free-moving action. Lighting is via a standard 2 inch plano-concave mirror which is in good condition on its adjustable brass support arm and gimbal. The original mirror is showing a little foxing, so I've also added another mirror with perfect silvering to both sides which is shown in the listing photos. There's also a 35mm swing-out filter holder for the addition of coloured, opaque or dark-field filters. All controls operate smoothly including coarse focus, fine-focus, monocular eyepiece draw-tube, binocular unit, mechanical stage, condenser and plano-concave mirror. The instrument has been lightly lubricated and the controls operate with a nice precise feel. This is a great visual and working example of Watson's classic Bactil High Power binocular model in amazingly good condition for a 1940s example, making it quite an interesting proposition for a collector. It's in highly original condition with a comprehensive specification, great optics and it's essentially complete and highly collectable and really would make a good centre-piece for a collection of vintage Watson instruments - it would be hard to find another one this good with all it's components present.

There's also a period-correct Watson storage case with this example, which is also in amazingly good condition for its age with perhaps just the odd minor shrinkage crack which is quite normal for Watson cases of this vintage. The case also has an original leather carry-handle that's in great condition and an original working lock with that all-important key. Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings if you get a chance. Watson & Sons Bactil High-Power Binocular Microscope c1948, Cased" is in sale since Friday, October 8, 2021.

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, Brazil, 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, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Material: Brass
Type: Scientific Instruments
Antique: Yes
Sub-Type: Microscopes