Description

Offered for sale is an antique Fram MkI model microscope in brass by W. Watson & Sons of London.  It dates to about 1899 based on the production period for the MkI and its serial number 5502 which is engraved onto the brass plaque just above the instrument’s tripod foot.  

Watson Fram production versions:

Fram MkI – produced 1898 to 1902 – this example.
Fram MkII – produced between 1902 and 1912 distinguished by the tripod legs formed from a single continuous alloy casting.
Fram MkIII produced from 1912 onwards had a more substantial tripod design similar to Edinburgh models but a little smaller.
See library images of 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 models 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.

The Watson Fram is essentially an excellent example of optical engineering in a compacy instrument by a top Englash maker.  The instrument is built with good materials giving solid construction, with great design features and skilled workmanship in this period with plenty of hand-finishing of components.  This is a compact but sturdy antique microscope in good original condition with a few later additions mentioned in the listing, fully working.  It’s got a great look and hardly any signs of age which for a brass example from the late Victorian period is quite remarkable.  

Turning to the technical details, the 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 located.  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 operated via a separate thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper limb, which moves an internal lever system and also works nice and smoothly.

With the optics, this Watson Fram microscope comes fitted with a period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube within the main lacquered brass optical tube along with two quality vintage eyepieces that with good illumination produces excellent images:

– 8x magnification – period eyepiece – possibly Watson but unmarked
– 10x magnification – later addition by Bausch & Lomb

There are two vintage objectives and a later triple brass turret by R & J Beck, which rotates freely with a positive feel as the objectives slot into their viewing position as follows:

– 2/3rds inch Argus by Watson – 10x
– 1/6th inch Argus by Watson  – 40x 
(both objectives will be later replacements and have the correct Watson Bakelite canisters)
(the third position in the triple turret is covered by a blanking plug)

Overall, the range of magnification available with this Watson Fram MkI therefore ranges from about 80x to a perfectly respectable 400x without the need for oil immersion techniques.

The stage is square in brass 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 modern condenser lens fitted to the brass ring-mount, which swings out to allow changing condenser type or for carrying out maintenance.  The condenser lens 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 good working example of Watson’s classic and quite rare Fram MkI model in original condition with the addition of some useful extras .  It’s essentially in collectable condition and it also displays amazingly well.  

There is also a correct original Watson storage case with this example, which is also in great condition with good exterior finish, original leather carry-handle, internal racking, working lock & key and a novel feature for securing the instrument in position for safekeeping or transit, which works very well and is shown in the listing photos.

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

Thanks for looking.