Long before Ernst Leitz Wetzlar changed its name to Leica Microsystems, the company produced high-quality Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes during the last few decades of the 19th century into the early 20th century. Many of the vintage Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes for sale featured on our website are believed to have been manufactured as early as 1925. Most are still branded with their original Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscope serial numbers from production. These antique Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes are available with most of their original parts and are not covered under warranty.
History of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Microscopes
As early as 1849, Karl Kellner formed the Optical Institute in Wetzlar, Germany. The company first produced telescopes and later started to manufacture microscopes. In 1865, Ernst Leitz joined the Optical Institute as a partner. When Ernst Leitz took over the company in 1869, he renamed it the Optical Institute of Ernst Leitz and eventually increased the production of Ernst Leitz microscopes. After 1885, Leitz started manufacturing polarizing microscopes. By the 20th century, the Leitz company was manufacturing the modern style of microscopes and microscope stands.
Then in 1912, Dr. Max Berek was hired and designed the first Leitz camera lens leading to microscope cameras becoming a top-selling product by 1924. In 1920, Ernst Leitz II took over the company. Microscope production was halted during the war, and Leitz reentered the microscopy market after the war ended. His three sons took over the company after him, and in 1952, Gunther Leitz started making Leica cameras.
Then in the 1970s, the competition in the microscope industry increased due to many Japanese microscope manufacturers producing high-quality and affordable microscopes. With this increased competition, many microscope manufacturers, including Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes, merged with other companies. Wild Heerbrugg bought out the Leitz Wetzlar Company in 1974 but allowed Leitz to continue to manufacture compound microscopes until the last Leitz relative left the company in 1986. At this time, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and Wild Heerbrugg combined to create the Wild Leitz Group. Eventually, the company changed its name to Leica in 1986 due to the popularity of the name. The current name is a combination of two words: the first three letters of "Leitz" and the first two letters of "camera." Today, the company mostly sells digital microscope cameras and sports optics like binoculars, monoculars, riflescopes, and rangefinders. Leica Camera prides itself on its innovative, sustainable, and nearly perfect lenses, and the high quality found in the German industrial process is evident in Leica products. There are numerous divisions of Leica, including Leica Microsystems, which still manufactures microscopes.
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Microscopes for Sale
Our Ernst Leitz Wetzlar binocular microscopes come in a variety of styles and finishes, ranging from brass, monocular compound microscopes to more modern-looking binocular and trinocular inverted phase, polarizing, and metallurgical microscopes. Even though all of these Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes are vintage, reconditioned antiques, they're in complete working order, so they're able to be used like regular microscopes. Additionally, they're very visually appealing, which makes them great gifts for microscopes and antique collectors alike. Even if you don't plan on using your Ernst Leitz microscope the way it was intended to be used, it looks great in an office setting and makes a good conversation piece when you have guests over.
Applications of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Binocular Microscopes
The Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscope value is still high due to its durable German-engineered construction. The reconditioned Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes can still be found in use in many microscope applications, including industrial, biomedical, educational, metallurgical, and laboratory settings. These microscopes are excellent for viewing specimens on microscope slides in brightfield microscopy applications.
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, now known as Leica Microsystems, has always been passionate about the products they create, and it shows in the company's craftsmanship. See for yourself what makes these vintage pieces so impressive in terms of function and style! If you have any questions about our collection of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscopes for sale, reach out to our customer service department. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic team will be happy to assist you in any way we can.