Description

Watson Fram MkI – 1898 – 1902

Here is what must be an antique Fram model microscope in brass by W. Watson & Sons of London.  It dates to the period 1898 to 1902 based on the production period for the MkI.  There’s no maker’s details or serial number on this instrument and it’s therefore probably either a pre-production example, or one made by Watson and sold wholesale, to be retailed by others, which was a fairly common practice in this period.  The sequential Watson production number is usually engraved onto the brass plaque just above the tripod legs.  For information Fram MkII models were produced between 1902 and 1912 and are distinguished from type-I and type-III Fram models by the tripod legs which are formed from a single continuous alloy casting.  See library images for the various Fram variants at the end of the listing photos.

While the Fram is slightly smaller than some other Watson models from this period, such as the Edinburgh range, it’s still quite an impressive and imposing instrument especially when extended for use.  The Fram especially the MkI model does seem to be somewhat rarer to market than the Edinburgh-H for example and may therefore have been produced in fewer numbers, with a production run of only 4 years for MkI examples, making this an exciting period find in such good condition.

This Fram is essentially an excellent piece of British optical engineering showing its quality from every component, based on good materials, solid construction, great design and skilled workmanship with plenty of hand-finishing carried out in this period.  This is a sturdy quality antique microscope in good original condition, fully working.  It’s got a great look and patina with just the right signs of age for a brass example from the late Victorian/early Edwardian period.  It really is quite a spectacular visual delight for the eyes when its lacquered brass catches the sun.

Turning to the technical details, the Fram’s construction is a tripod composed of three oxidised brass solid rods soldered to an oxidised brass cap on top of which is screwed a lacquered brass plate – this is where the model name and serial number are usually located.  I’ve even had a look underneath the brass plate and there’s just some production batch numbers there, no sign of a serial number.  From the brass cap twin uprights meet at the pivot to which is attached the upper limb.  The upper limb is very reminiscent of the Edinburgh model, with the same internal lever fine focus arrangement.  Coarse focus is via rack and pinion which has a good smooth action, with fine focus achieved via a separate thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper limb, which operates an internal lever system and also works nice and smoothly.

With the optics, this Watson Fram microscope comes fitted with a nice period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube and a quality vintage eyepiece that with good illumination produces excellent images:

– 6x magnification – period eyepiece – possibly Watson but unmarked

It’s got three vintage objectives and a later triple brass Watson turret, which rotates freely with a positive feel as the objectives slot into their viewing position as follows:

– Zeiss aa in brass low-power objective – 6x approx 
– Zeiss D in brass  – 40x with period Watson brass canister
– high-power brass objective – unbranded – approx 60x magnification

Overall, the range of magnification available with this Watson Fram MkI therefore ranges from about 36x to a perfectly respectable 360x.

The stage is square with cut-out typical of the Fram model and there’s a pair of brass stage clips which also work well.

Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson Abbe-style condenser in a brass mount which swings out to allow changing condenser type or carry out maintenance.  The condenser assembly also has a working iris to control lighting levels.  There’s a swing-out holder fitted, allowing coloured, opaque or dark-field filters to be inserted.  Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror which is in pretty good condition on its adjustable brass support arm and gimbal set-up with near perfect period silvering.

This is a great visual and working example of what must be Watson’s classic and quite rare Fram MkI model in highly original condition with a comprehensive specification, good Zeiss optics and it’s essentially in collectable condition and it also displays amazingly well.  Please note that there is also a later Watson storage case with this example, which is also in usable condition with latch to keep the door closed.

Owing to the weight of the microscope, it will be partially dismantled and it will be well wrapped for shipping and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds.  

Thanks for looking.