WM-16

The WM-16 was the European and Asian market version of the WM-6, carrying the same simplified early auto-reverse platform into Sony's international lineup. It used a horizontal plastic body with Dolby B noise reduction, chrome and metal tape support, anti-rolling assistance, and an LED direction indicator, all powered by two AA batteries. The solenoid-based reverse system and mechanical cue/review functions were retained, including the slightly noisy winding behavior and the visible signs of cost-conscious engineering.

Auto-reverse was already being normalized internationally at a relatively early point. The feature was no longer only a domestic flagship novelty, but something Sony wanted to distribute more widely in simplified form. The WM-16 sits in that stage where a premium convenience was starting to become an ordinary expectation.