Overview
The Black Watch is an electronic wristwatch launched in September 1975 by Sinclair Radionics. It cost £24.95 ready-built, but was also available for £17.95, as a kit. These prices are equivalent to around £ and £ respectively in , when adjusted for inflation.
The Black Watch was supplied with a plastic band as standard, with a black stainless steel bracelet available as an extra at £2.00.
Design
The Black Watch was equipped with a red light emitting diode display, which illuminated only when the watchcase's surface was pressed; pressing one part of the case displayed hours and minutes, pressing another displayed minutes and seconds. The Black Watch was later available in gray and white, with these versions also having a date function.
The product was beset by technical problems, including short battery life, variable accuracy and a very sensitive integrated circuit which could be rendered useless by static shock. In spite of this, Sinclair's advertising still claimed:
From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
