This is a relatively rare example of a 20th century Officer of the Watch style telescope, engraved 'CAPT. O. M. WATTS LTD. LONDON. W.1.' on the first draw.

My research shows Captain Oswald M Watts was one of the youngest Merchant Navy Officers to hold a Masters certificate at the age of 23. He left the sea in 1927 and went on to become the first editor of the Reeds Nautical Almanac in 1932, which is still published today but is now known simply as Reeds.

However, he also opened the renowned Capt O M Watts yacht chandlers business in London in the 1930's, but sold the business in the 1980's and it was closed in 2002. The main barrel is covered in its original mid brown leather stitched cladding, and the nickel silver draw tube and fittings are in good dent free condition.

All lenses are clean & free of any damage, producing an image which is very clear and sharp through the 30mm visible diameter objective lens, which is protected by an attached leather end cap, whilst the eyepiece has an integral swivel dust cover. In excellent condition, a classic style of Naval telescope measuring 17½" closed, 25¼" fully extended with sliding sun shade, it weighs 830 grams.