renzgi - 2010-02-28 03:37
This is my latest walkman in my collection.
A special version of the SONY SPORTS WM-F5 in black.
Someone know this version?
TRULY WONDERFUL RARE RARE FIND !! This is a promotional Walkman. Large companies often take a popular product and pay mfg. to have their company name put on it. Usually it is a given away in package of items customer buys from company or given out at special functions as a token of thanks (gift)to employees or attendees. Not always but nearly so these promotional Walkmans are produced in VERY LOW QUANTITIES !! From 100 to few thousand usually. Adding rarity is that MOST promotional products are from the more inexpensive end of a line of products. Example being usually in this era a company would chose the entry level ( to keep their cost down ) product to put name on such as the Sony WM-4 or WM-1. Unusual that KOSE spent the money to use a rather expensive model to advertise their new product launch. Most likely this was given out to executives, models and higher up's in the industry due to its cost from Sony.
KOSE COSMETICS is a LARGE cosmetic firm from Japan starting out in late 40's. Since it was founded in 1946, KOSÉ corporation has continued to develop outstanding cosmetic products, many of which have been pioneers in the global cosmetic industry.
KOSÉ DAMON BRONZER SERIES (1984 ~ 1985).
Your walkman clearly is very special as KOSE choose a brand new release product the SONY WM-F5 ( 1984 ) to have their new Brand advertised as a promotional item. Typical KOSE in proper tradition choose a powerhouse fellow Japanese firm to put their name on.
Some time ago I started a post on "Promotional Walkmans show yours off". AGENTORANGE if you could RE OPEN The Topic and leave open as this is a great thread to keep adding to over time as we find these rare beasties ! Many superb examples at this topic.
PROMOTIONAL WALKMANS Here is a rare AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD CARD promotional item. Like your WM-F5 the Toshiba RP-S5 was a higher end quality product in the super small elite portable radio only market. Representative of the elite status market niche at that time of Gold Card ownership. The RP-S5 was release in 1983 the year BEFORE the American Express Platinum card was introduced. This probably was a short term give a way with application and approval for the Gold Card. A marketing push to get some new credit card customers that could qualify the following year to step up to a Platinum Card. The sound quality of this tiny radio is soul inspiring. The amplifier power must be in the 30-40mw range as it POUNDS my Koss Port a Pro's. Listening now to it, go Van Halen
TOSHIBA RP-S5 Credit Card Radio 
Many thanks John!!
For this interesting comment.
Wow! you have much knowledge to Walkman.
I am gladly, to has now these information.
That a cool FM tuner you have there, never seen one of those.
