English achetier William D. Watson (1930-2018) first became acquainted with the violin world through Arthur Bultitude, serving under the Hill artisan in the British Boys Brigade before becoming W.E. Hill & Son’s first new apprentice in 17 years. In addition to working under Bultitude. Watson notably served as William Retford’s last apprentice, continuing a tradition and lineage of workmanship which began with Samuel Allan in the 1880’s,  and remained in the employ of the Hill firm from 1945 to 1962. He continued making bows of the highest level from his personal workshop until shortly before his death.

Although he took no apprentices directly, Watson was a regular lecturer for the British Violin Making Association (BVMA), the Violin Society of America (VSA), and the Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers (EILA). Ongoing from 2009, he was a major contributor to the 2016 BVMA publication, The Hill Bow Makers, and collaborated with film students at Falmouth University in 2012 to create several hours of archival footage about the Hill approach. He was regarded as one of the foremost experts on British bow-making history.

This fine gold mounted violin bow by William Watson well represents not only his own legacy but that of the W.E. Hill & Sons firm. Octagonal stick from a famed stock, with Whale bone lapping, gold mounts on an ebony frog with matching Parisian ring, three-piece button, and gold tip facing. With a balanced weight of 61.6 grams, the stick feels strong and responsive in the hand, delivering a warm bead of sound with clear overtones, and when desired, a sharp bite. Overall, capable of great depth of character in performance.