Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 450 (W. Watson & Sons; Stereoscopic microscope model ‘Research’; 1966)

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 450 is engraved with “WATSON, BARNET” and the serial number 147089, and is dated from 1966 (as indicated on the magnification table placed in the original wooden box of the instrument). The instrument is also labelled on the base with “UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY”, suggesting that this instrument belonged to this university at some point of its history. The instrument corresponds to a Watson’s stereoscopic microscope ‘Research’ model (Figure 1), and has an electric illuminator and the respective power source supply, which is labelled with “INSTRUMENTS DIVISION (D. R. GREY) LTD., NORWICH & HARROGATE”.

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

Figure 1. Watson’s stereoscopic microscope ‘Research’ model as featured in a 1966 catalogue of the firm.