A few high-end models were made with those odd-ball knobs and switches in the early 80s or so. They were made to match up to the electronic washers of the time, especially the step-down model from the Lady K electronic.
I haven't seen but a handful of these ever (they weren't Kenmore's best in styling if you ask me).
Belive it or not, a family up the street from me had one that replaced a filtrator when it finally broke. It was matched up with an I-18. They were odd, but kind of fancy looking for the time.