Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 436 (W. Watson & Sons; Service microscope; 1960)

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 436 is a Watson’s Service microscope (Figure 1). The instrument is engraved with “SERVICE”, “WATSON, BARNET”, has the serial number 130165 and should be dated to c. 1960. The wooden box in which the instrument is fitted contains a magnification table dated to November 1960 but corresponds to another Service microscope with the serial number 130108.

Note: this instrument was kindly donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.

Figure 1. Watson’s Service II microscope as originally pictured in a 1963 Flatters & Garnett’s catalogue.