Antique Watson Edinburgh Model Microscope

Fine example of a high quality antique microscope complete with two eyepiece lenses and three objective lenses. The microscope parts are made of brass on a black tripod base. The whole microscope tilts, the eyepiece tube is extendable and it has a rack and pinion coarse focus as well as an additional fine focus knob at the back of the microscope. It has a triple revolving nosepiece and a square shaped stage with a mechanical slide holder and one slide clip. Below the stage is a large adjustable mirror for focusing the light source towards the microscope. The substage apparatus is complex and has, among other pieces, a condenser, an aperture and a filter holder ring. The whole sub-stage moves up and down by a rack and pinion system on a brass knob below the stage.

The microscope is stamped on the back leg with the makers name " W.Watson & Sons Ltd. 313 High Holborn St. London" and serial number "13013". The microscope comes with two eyepiece lenses, marked '2' and '8 Kompens-Okular'. There are three objective lenses, the first a E.Leitz number 3, the second a Carl Zeiss Jena A and the third a Carl Zeiss Jena 1/12 m.A.1.3, each with their matching brass lens cases.

The microscope comes in a fitted wooden box with sections to hold the lenses. The box has a good quality wooden handle and is a strong sturdy box with a nice patina however there is an old split in the back panel and it does not come with a key.

The microscope measures approximately 13" tall and extends up to 16" tall. It appears to be in good working order and I have set it up and tested it with a few old slides and attached a shot through the eyepiece. The pictures are clear and crisp and the microscope is easy to focus with both the main and fine focus. I'm sure the lenses would probably benefit from a light clean and it is really being sold as a collectable item rather than an accurate scientific instrument.

Overall the microscope is in good condition for its age. It has been used and will have normal signs of wear. There are some areas of tarnishing and wear on the brass lacquer where it has been handled and some general knocks and light scratches around the base but nothing detrimental. It has been cleaned and the brass lightly polished and it displays very nicely. All parts move smoothly as they should.