e r watts 3.5” Transit theodolite

A beautifully-engineered late 19th Century transit theodolite of relatively small proportions by E R Watts & Son of London. The instrument measures 10” (26cm) high and has a 3.5” (9cm) diameter transit dial with silvered scale. The compass rose is marked E R Watts & Son, London and bears the serial number 499, possibly making this quite an early example. The leather-bound mahogany case - while being a correct fit - is possibly of later origins, it bearing labels for E R Watts & Son in Ottawa, Canada and having service labels relating to instrument 4881.

Edwin Watts formed his company in 1856 at the tender age of just 23. His premises were above a London stable and he had just one assistant. His first commission was a miners dial for Negretti and Zambra. Subsequently he worked mostly on marine compasses for the London Docks. By the early 1880s he was employing 5 men and 5 boys. Around this time, the company was commissioned to make theodolites and levels in connection with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and it was later to form a subsidary in Ottawa, Canada - perhaps explaining the labelling within the case of this particular instrument.

SOLD - but please visit my online shop for similar items.