The Season 2 premiere showed a washer and dryer in Desmond's home/lair. They are very new (I know b/c I was recently shopping for new washer and dryer). In fact, they just came onto the market a couple of years ago.

This seems to be a huge clue. I heavily doubt that Desmond had these on his boat. Someone had to bring them there.

how do you know they're new? all washers/dryers look alike to me.. :\

[LoStMyMiNd]

So what is the clue?

I think that just because these machines are front loading everyone thinks they are new but I do not think so remember that commercial machines are front loading. If I was building an underground bunker to last for 20 30 50 years I would put in heavy duty appliances.

[SarahWW]

They aren't considered new because they are front loaders.
They are considered new because they are a particular type of front loading machine that has only been available in the US a few years (slightly longer in euprope). I haven't seen a close up of the handles or the controls, but if I did I could tell you what particular version it is of this new type of washer.

It could be a Kenmore HE3t, a Whirlpool Duet, a Kitchenaid, or a European "BIG" Bauknecht machine.

Can't find a screen shot on the board.

[SarahWW]

Judging by this image

the machines appear to be graphite Kenmore He3t or 4t
machines. From Fricking Sears. They were first available in the US in the fall of 2000.

If it's a 4t (I'd need to see a close-up of the controls) then it's only been avaible for a year.

So yes, the washer dryer is a dead giveaway that a delivery of a washer/dryer took place almost certainly
within the last five years, and that could possibly be narrowed down to an even smaller window.

I think the washer is old enough that it could have been delivered before Desmond entered the Swan base thre years ago. Obviously the base needs to be resuplied as the food closet could not support two men for 20 + years.

[LoStMyMiNd]

And OMG where do they vent to? Don't the new machines have the option of venting inside?

When Des is said to have been racing around the world, do we know how/in what kind of vehicle? I am assuming a sailboat, but it could have been a cruiser for all we know (or even a plane). I wonder if the newer stuff could have been salvaged from Desmond's wreck. Now why he would be in a race round the world carrying brand new appliances? I am picturing a 55 foot yacht with all the mod-cons.

[SarahWW]

If I were Desmond, and doing laundry for two at most, I would have selected a top-end AEG with ventless condensation dryer. But that's just me.

None of the Duet-type machines (Kenmore, kitchenaid, BIG, etc) comes with a ventless dryer option, which would make the most sense in a place where you might want to control ventilation or recycle water.

I think TPTB just picked the Hetties (a slang term for HE3/4t's) because they look all futuristic and cool, and are new enough to be a clue. Any european front loader with a ventless dryer would not be an obvious "anachronism" since they have been around long, long time.
I don't think they considered hiding the dryer exhaust.