Alexander Stocks Watt

History

Alexander Stocks WATT (1859-1908) was born in Edinburgh on August 17, 1859, and died in Inverkeithing, Scotland, in 1908. He was a photographer and an inventor of valuable photographic apparatus, as well as a skilled violinist. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was first encouraged to take up violin making around 1875 by Dr. George Dickson. John Dilworth notes that he completed 50 violins and a few violas.

Craft

• Subheading: Models: He made modern copies after Stradivarius and Guarnerius, specifically copying Stradivari initially and later Guarneri. He also made miniature copies of individual Stradivari instruments.
• Subheading: Workmanship: William Meredith Morris describes his work as beautiful and rare, noting that a copy of the "Count Cessol" Stradivari made by him was among the finest for delicate workmanship. He would spend two, and sometimes three, years over a single violin, resulting in an "artistic gem."
• Subheading: Materials & Varnish: He used fine materials and an effective oil varnish of good quality, which John Dilworth specifies as an amber varnish of his own preparation.
• Subheading: Tone: The tone of his instruments is described as sweet and mellow.

Influence

• Subheading: Mentorship: He was a pupil of Dr. George Dickson, who first encouraged him to turn to violin making around 1875.

Legacy

• Subheading: Recognition: He gained awards at several exhibitions.

Further Information

• Subheading: Labels: Henri Poidras notes a label reading: "Mr Alexander S. Watt. Made in ye olde Burgh of Inverkeithing. A. D. 18.." John Dilworth provides another label example: "Alexander Watt / Made at Inverkeithing / 1893."

Summary

Alexander Stocks Watt (1859-1908) was a Scottish luthier, photographer, and inventor, born in Edinburgh and active in Inverkeithing. Encouraged by Dr. George Dickson around 1875, he became known for crafting approximately 50 violins and a few violas. His instruments, described as beautiful and rare, were often modern copies of Stradivarius and Guarnerius, sometimes taking two to three years to complete. Watt utilized fine materials and his own prepared amber oil varnish, resulting in instruments with a sweet and mellow tone. He received awards at various exhibitions for his work.