Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 177 (W. Watson & Sons; Greenough binocular dissecting microscope, pattern 3; 1949)

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 177 is a Watson’s Greenough binocular dissecting microscope, pattern 3, labelled with “W. Watson & Sons, Ltd, London”. The instrument has the serial number 95516 and is dated to 1949. Figure 1 shows this stand as engraved in the Watson’s 36th edition catalogue.

Figure 1. Watson’s Greenough binocular dissecting microscope, pattern 3, as engraved in the company’s 36th edition catalogue.

References

W. Watson and Sons (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/W._Watson_and_Sons), last accessed on 12.08.2020

LAST EDITED: 05.05.2021