Description

Offered for sale we have a lovely vintage original Service I Research model microscope by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London.  This model was introduced in 1950 and is larger than the standard Service model, in fact it’s almost as large as its big brother the Bactil.  This particular example dates to 1952 based on the sequential Watson production number of 110568 which is engraved onto the main tube.  It’s in all-original condition as far as I can tell, although the objective lenses have been changed for a more modern set more of which later in the listing and this is exactly what you’d expect to see from time to time for a working instrument that’s been well maintained.  In general it has obviously been very well looked after by its former custodians, which is nice to see and in this condition it’s capable of giving many more years of service.  It will make a great instrument for those new to microscopy and vintage Watson instruments, as well as also being a good candidate for a seasoned collector seeking a fine example of this era of Watson production.

The Service model was essentially the mid-size model of Watson’s range of microscope offerings and the back-bone of its microscope range, first appearing in the Watson catalogue around 1919 and remaining in production right up until the mid 1960s – first as the Service in brass, then in the 1940s the Service in chrome finish.  From 1950 Watson brought in the Service I and II models (more streamlined shape) and then the Watson Barnet Service until the end of production.  So, this model essentially had quite a long production run of nearly 50 years, with this long production run giving us a firm clue about just how good and capable this model of microscope was, so much so that it often found it way into government and educational establishments in view of its robustness and high quality. 

This instrument has got very good bright-work details such as thumb-wheels which are showing just a few odd age and use-related signs of wear, but nothing that noticeable.  In the main, the instrument has polished up well and the bright-work still catches the light.  The Service I is essentially an excellent piece of British optical engineering that oozes the famous Watson brand from its various components, based on quality materials, very solid heavyweight construction and great design.  Feel the weight of it for one, it’s very heavy with all that steel and brass and was recommended by Watson as suitable for research workers – see extracts from contemporary Watson product brochure at the end of the listing photo stream. 

The construction is a heavy iron foot with pivot supporting the Lister-type limb also in iron.  Coarse focus is rack and pinion with good smooth action and fine focus is a horizontal arrangement with vernier screw and lever/cam which also works well and the latter has also been cleaned and lubricated.  The stage and sub-stage accessories are all attached to the limb/limb tailpiece and overall this is a very stable well-engineered design.

Turning to the optics, this Watson Service I microscope is fitted with a chromed eyepiece draw-tube with graduation markings inside the main optical tube which is in brass.  It is also supplied with an appropriate quality vintage eyepiece and another wide-field eyepiece, that with good illumination produce excellent images:

– 7x magnification – Watson 
– 12x magnification wide-field 

It’s got five vintage objectives which are later replacements and a triple turret, which rotates freely with a nice positive feel as the objectives slot into position as follows:

– 6x magnification – Meopta
– 10x magnification – Meopta
– 40x magnification – Meopta
– 40x magnification – Lomo
– 60x magnification – Lomo

Overall, the range of magnification provided by this Watson therefore runs from about 28x to a respectable 720x when using good illumination and oil immersion techniques are not required with this set of objectives.

The specimen stage is a square Watson design that’s fully mechanical, known as the Flat-top mechanical stage which works well with x/y controls to the right-hand side.  There’s also no y-axis slippage on inclination because there’s a small thumb-screw locking mechanism to secure the y-axis as necessary – a useful Watson feature.  The stage also has twin slide holder arms one being sprung, for holding slides steady which work well.   

Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson universal condenser in a friction-fit mount that’s height adjustable via a rack and pinion system.  The condenser also has centering, a working iris to control lighting levels and there’s a 35mm swing-out holder allowing coloured, opaque or dark-field filters to be inserted.  Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror on an adjustable brass support arm that slots into the underside of the tailpiece, with gimbal and good silvering to both sides.

The various controls and friction surfaces have been lightly cleaned/lubricated and operate smoothly.

This is a great visual and really good working example of Watson’s Service I Research model in nice original condition with a decent set of more modern optics enhancing its usability.  It’s essentially in collectable condition and offered at a sensible price point for a good example from this period of Watson production.  There’s the correct period storage case with this example in good condition, with internal lens rack, carry handle and a working lock and key.

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

Thanks for looking – please also check out my other listings if you get a chance.