When portable television sets appeared in the 1960s they were an instant hit. Couch potatoes were emancipated and security guards traded in their transistor radios; no-one had to miss their favourite show any more. But there was a drawback: the TVs tended to be heavy and not that portable so they fell out of favour.

Now the portable TV is making a comeback. In June, the tiny and lightweight TV Watch will hit Hong Kong stores. V@MP TV Watch has been developed by NHJ, the Japanese manufacturer that produced the Che-ez! micro digital camera and camcorder. Not only does the watch tell the time and date, it has a 1.5-inch colour monitor that gives a clear image, although perhaps not for the myopic. The gadget, which weighs 55 grams and measures 4.6cm by 4.9cm, uses a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that lasts only an hour, so you can't watch a movie or a football match. However, you can plug it into a pack that runs on four AAA batteries and that will keep it going for a further three hours. The headphone cable also acts as an antenna, picking up signals from terrestrial channels.

The TV Watch costs $1,390 and will be available in June at branches of JC Shop, Broadway, Fotomax, Circle and Azona AO2.