Sony Watchman
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The Sony Watchman is a line of portable pocket televisions trademarked and produced by Sony.
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[edit] FD-210
The initial model was introduced in 1982 as the FD-210, becoming the first mass-produced pocket television. The FD-210 had a grayscale five centimeter display. The device weighed around 650 grams, with a measurement of 87 x 198 x 33 millimeters. The device was sold in Japan with a price of 54,800 yen. Roughly two years later, in 1984, the device was introduced to Europe and North America.
[edit] Later Releases
Sony manufactured more than 65 models of the Watchman before it's discontinuation in 2000. Upon the release of further models after the FD-210, the display size increased, and new features were introduced. The FD-3, introduced in 1987, had a built-in digital clock. The FD-30, introduced in 1984 had a built-in AM/FM Stereo radio. The FD-40/42/44/45 were among the largest Watchmans, utilizing a 4" CRT display. The FD-40 introduced a single composite A/V input. The FD-45, introduced in 1986, was water-resistant. In 1990, the FDL-310, the first Watchman with a color LCD display was introduced. The FD-280/285, made from 1990 to 1994, was the last Watchman to use a black and white CRT display. One of the last Watchmans was the FDL-22 introduced in 1998, which featured an ergonomic body which made it easier to hold, and introduced Sony's Straptenna, where the wrist strap served as the antenna.
[edit] Legacy
Due to the switch of over-the-air television to digital, most models of the Sony Watchman in the US have lost their usefulness, because they now require to be connected to a digital converter box. Because of this, the Sony Watchman, especially older CRT-based models, is now becoming increasingly popular as a collector's item. Those interested in owning a Sony Watchman can easily obtain one, however, for used examples of many different models are readily available inexpensively on online stores such as eBay.
[edit] In popular culture
The character of Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) in Rain Man carries a Sony Watchman FD-40 around with him to watch his shows.
