If you'd like to experience Japanese precision and Sony’s bold design from the mid-1960s, this is the perfect example. The Sony O-Matic TC-900 S is a compact tape recorder weighing just 2 kg, with dimensions reminiscent of a large book. It quickly became a sought-after travel companion.

It was also a favorite dictation device among Japanese journalists — not just for its reliability, but thanks to its Sony-O-Matic function, which automatically adjusted the recording volume level. One reporter reportedly recorded an interview with a then-serving minister but forgot that the microphone was still in his pocket… and yet the recording turned out surprisingly usable.

The TC-900 S was manufactured in black and dark red versions, featuring a transparent panel in the lid, allowing the user to monitor tape movement and length without needing to open the device.