WM-35

The WM-35 is an early Sports Walkman from 1986 and one of the simplest cassette models in that first rugged branch. It uses a basic single-direction mechanical transport, a three-position tape-type selector for normal, chrome, and metal tapes, and no Dolby noise reduction. What sets it apart is the oversized sealed shell, which gives the player buoyancy and makes it noticeably bulkier than ordinary pocket Walkman while keeping the controls and cassette door easy to access outdoors.

This model arrived when Sony was still testing how far the Walkman could move away from commuter use without becoming a different kind of product entirely. The WM-35 is not about miniaturization or refinement. It is about proving that a cassette player could survive water exposure through physical design alone, even if that meant carrying something larger and less elegant than the standard line.