W Watson and Sons Limited 1837 - 1969

industry:: Microscope maker, Optical instrument maker

Nationality:: British

based:: London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

W Watson and Sons Ltd was an opticians and camera manufacturer. They made fine wooden view cameras as well as binoculars, microscopes and movie projectors.

The company was established in London as William Watson in 1837. The company originally manufactured optical instruments before moving on to lanterns, slides and associated equipment. Then in the 1870s, they started producing photographic equipment. The name of the company was changed in 1868 to W. Watson and Son, and then became W. Watson and Sons in 1883 following the death of William Watson. In 1908, the company became W. Watson and Sons Ltd.

By 1959, the company had become a subsidiary of Pye.