Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Facile ball-bearing turntable from Watson (early 20^th century)

This is a ringing table from Watson and should be dated to the early 20^th century. This model is a later improvement compared to the ordinary pattern and was called the Facile ball-bearing turntable in the Watson catalogues (Figure 1). In this form the table is balanced in the ordinary way on a hardened steel pin and rotates on a dead hard steel ball, thus reducing friction to a minimum and ensuring a smooth and steady revolution. The hand support is placed high, enabling a careful application of the brush. W. Watson & Sons were opticians and camera makers trading from London and Edinburgh. The company was originally founded in 1837 by William Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued at this address until 1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the name was changed to W. Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W. Watson & Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co., and in 1908 the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published an advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for medical, industrial, and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970, the manufacture of microscopes was over.

Figure 1. The Facile ball-bearing turntable as pictured in a Watson’s catalogue from 1912.

LAST EDITED: 05.05.2021