Vintage W. Watson & Sons Brass " Kima " Microscope In Case - Circa 1934
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:15872537 | Period: 1901 to 1950 |
| Type: Microscope | Sub-Type: Microscopes |
| Modified Item: No | Material: Brass |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom |
Here is a superb example of a vintage W Watson & Sons brass microscope in black painted finish. The construction is almost entirely solid brass for base and upper components. The black painted finish is in excellent condition and hardly showing any signs of wear, with the shiny lacquered brass components developing a nice patina with almost no signs of tarnishing. In the photos the brass components are virtually glowing in the autumn sunshine with a warm golden colou...r.
This vintage microscopecan be dated to around 1934, based on the sequential production number which is 57032. The Watson Kima was the compact model of Watson's range of microscope offerings in the inter-war period: compact in size maybe but not lacking in quality. It's also got all brass fittings - this further confirms its origins in the 1930s because brass finishes were phased out in the 1940s in favour of nickel-plating.
As well as being more compact, the Kimais also more of a utilitarian model than the very elaborate and much larger Edinburgh and Royal Van Heurck models that were also available from Watson in this era. The Kima is however an excellent piece with quality optics and fittings that just oozes that famous Watson brand from every component, based on solid materials and construction, great design and attention to detail.
This Kima microscope comes with a graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube plus two eyepieces - 10x Watson No. 4 and a 6x Watson No. 2. It's also got a set of three objective lenses on its rotating triple turret:
- 2/3 inch Parachromatic - Watson
- 1/6 inch Parachromatic - Watson
- Objective "D" 0.13, serial 4202 - Carl Zeiss (later replacement)
The objectives also all have their own containers for safekeeping when not in use.
The sub-stage swing-out Abbe-type condenser is located within a brass mounting system and has a fully working iris and a feature allowing coloured or dark-field filters to be inserted.
The stage has its original clips present and the plano-concave mirror is free from any blemishing and in near perfect condition on its adjustable arm and gimbal set-up.
All controls operate reasonably smoothly with only minor stiffness, including main rack and pinion focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, condenser and mirror.
This is a really excellent example, with its original Watson wooden case, that's suitable for display purposes, or use it as a microscope as intended. The case is fitted with its original lock and key. The original leather handle is also present on the case but this is showing signs of age.
Owing to the weight of the microscope, it will be dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Overseas buyers please use the eBay Global Shipping option if available for your territory, or contact seller.
Thanks for looking.
This vintage microscopecan be dated to around 1934, based on the sequential production number which is 57032. The Watson Kima was the compact model of Watson's range of microscope offerings in the inter-war period: compact in size maybe but not lacking in quality. It's also got all brass fittings - this further confirms its origins in the 1930s because brass finishes were phased out in the 1940s in favour of nickel-plating.
As well as being more compact, the Kimais also more of a utilitarian model than the very elaborate and much larger Edinburgh and Royal Van Heurck models that were also available from Watson in this era. The Kima is however an excellent piece with quality optics and fittings that just oozes that famous Watson brand from every component, based on solid materials and construction, great design and attention to detail.
This Kima microscope comes with a graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube plus two eyepieces - 10x Watson No. 4 and a 6x Watson No. 2. It's also got a set of three objective lenses on its rotating triple turret:
- 2/3 inch Parachromatic - Watson
- 1/6 inch Parachromatic - Watson
- Objective "D" 0.13, serial 4202 - Carl Zeiss (later replacement)
The objectives also all have their own containers for safekeeping when not in use.
The sub-stage swing-out Abbe-type condenser is located within a brass mounting system and has a fully working iris and a feature allowing coloured or dark-field filters to be inserted.
The stage has its original clips present and the plano-concave mirror is free from any blemishing and in near perfect condition on its adjustable arm and gimbal set-up.
All controls operate reasonably smoothly with only minor stiffness, including main rack and pinion focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, condenser and mirror.
This is a really excellent example, with its original Watson wooden case, that's suitable for display purposes, or use it as a microscope as intended. The case is fitted with its original lock and key. The original leather handle is also present on the case but this is showing signs of age.
Owing to the weight of the microscope, it will be dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Overseas buyers please use the eBay Global Shipping option if available for your territory, or contact seller.
Thanks for looking.
