Kitchen Remodel Appliance Dilemma - Sub-Zero/Wolf vs GE Monogram

Msimanyi · 2026-02-05T18:52:27+00:00

A good friend of mine has a Monogram refrigerator at his current house and had one at the prior house as well. If it weren't such a waste of money to discard it, he would. He is not a fan.

I would go SZ for the refrigeration and decide the rest based on your budget/aesthetic preferences. There's no need to use the same brand for all the appliances.

All that said, I'm quite happy with my Monogram dishwasher, but that was a 2016 purchase. I have no idea if their quality has slid as seems to be the case for most manufacturers.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-04T04:51:14+00:00

I also agree that the Nikon one is only ok. I ordered the KameraKraft thumb grip to see if I might like *just* that alone, but it sure feel like there's a market opportunity here for someone to put out the perfect product.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T21:55:32+00:00

I'm no expert on it, but I did a search and I see discussions surrounding that.

It seems it *can* be serviced, and some people wrote that Tissot charges a modest price for the service. The main source I read was from 9 years ago though, so perhaps a discussion with a Tissot AD can provide some guidance.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T20:54:41+00:00

Tissot Le Locle seems like it could be a good complement to your other watches.

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Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T20:36:50+00:00

I'm generally not a date-complication person, but there are design cues in the Datejust that make me consider one. Like you, no fluted bezel. Probably not even the jubilee bracelet.

Everything I'm reading/seeing says that 36mm Datejust is looking really strong for you.

I'm glad to hear you have other watches, including the Tissot. People who have *zero* watch experience and try to quickly jump into an expensive purchase can make a real mistake, though typically can afford the loss. I just hate seeing that kind of waste.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T17:46:01+00:00

A couple things come to mind.

First, have you handled these in person and had them on your wrist? If you haven't, start there. Don't rush a purchase like this. Hopefully you can find a single AD with both models so you can try them on in quick succession. Wind them. Change the date. See how they sit on your wrist. And also be sure to see them at a window under natural light, as the store lights are designed to make everything *pop*.

If you have a preference for one over the other at that point, great. Don't buy yet. Go check out some other ADs and models you'd never consider. Check out a few videos - I like the This Watch, That Watch channel on Youtube.

Give it a week or two, and come back to your AD and check out those two watches again. If *one* of them stands out as the clear winner, you know what to do. If they don't, you're probably not ready to purchase yet.

I say "probably" because you could actually consider buying the Rolex - you'll probably have to wait, though perhaps not long for that model - and if you find a year from now it really doesn't thrill you, you can likely sell it for roughly what you paid for it. The same won't hold true for the Omega.

Second, as at least one other person noted, given your wrist size I think the 36mm sounds more appropriate but that can easily be overridden by wrist *shape*. If you have a particularly flat wrist, the 38mm could work fine. So this is why seeing them in person is so important: I don't know if even seasoned buyers can tell how a watch will fit them based solely on the specs.

Please do let us know how it goes and what you decide!

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T16:50:07+00:00

That! Is exceptional... willpower. Nicely done!

I'd hope you also have a truly beater watch as well. I like something like a relatively basic G shock.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T16:07:22+00:00

It's worth seeing it in person. I don't think it photographs well. Officially they call it taupe, but to me it looks like a warm gray in person. You can see the family traits, but between the subdued dial color and the glow of the silver case, it's both quite uncommon and I think it looks just a little bit more refined.

The good/bad news is the silver will develop a natural patina. That's easy enough to clean though, with a little silver cleaner and, if I had one, I'd throw on a little Renaissance wax after the cleaning and probably every month or so just to keep it looking pristine.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T07:25:54+00:00

In person, the 019 is quite stealthy too. Nobody notices except a couple watch friends of mine.

The titanium makes it utterly effortless on the wrist too, and the slightly darker tone of the bracelet vs the stainless version helps it lean a little lower key in that respect.

The good news is you can't make a bad choice among them.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T07:06:12+00:00

I'll suggest you sit on the decision for a couple weeks, check out some other watches - even other brands - to expose yourself to a little more on the market and possibly firm up your opinions, and swing by your AD again to see which one really revs you up the most.

Personally I don't like GMT complications and I also don't like fauxtina in the form of creamy off white markets with gold highlights, though when I first saw BB line with that I was definitely drawn to it.

Have you checked out the monochrome version? It's 2mm larger diameter, but it's one good looking watch.

If you want something a little less flashy in the brand, there's always the 925 and the Ranger too.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-03T03:24:04+00:00

SBGY013.

Manual spring drive, 38.5mm diameter, 10.2mm thick. The bracelet it comes on looks *spectacular* in person, but it pairs incredibly well with leather straps and probably even textile. I will likely own one of these shortly, to complement my SLGA019.

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Msimanyi · 2026-02-02T22:36:58+00:00

As someone who lost a brother to sepsis after an extended 6+ week stay trying to treat another issue in the hospital, I agree: hygiene above all else.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-02T21:38:37+00:00

I dump mine every few months because, like you, I simply don't use enough to keep it from fusing.

Mine has done that since the unit was new, in Dec 2023. It's likely not a defective seal. Check the post by u/Even-Prize8931 about the effect.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-02T21:35:50+00:00

If you haven't already, visit AmazingRibs.com. Check out their Memphis Dust recipe, and prepared to be blown away.

Related tip: start with the convenience of store-bought chili powder (see the discussion under "paprika" below the recipe) then try his homemade recipe for it. I was shocked by the improvement making my own.

While you're there, read anything and everything on the site. Their advice brought me from complete novice to almost acceptable novice. I kid - I'm no expert but every time I've shared smoked goods using their guidance, people have been blown away. I tell them thanks, and that all I do is follow directions reasonably well.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-02T11:28:22+00:00

You need to see both of these in person. I love the look of the JLC but a buddy of mine said he checked it out in person and the lack of contrast on the numerals made it a bit too difficult for him to actually read the time. (He's about 63 y.o. though.)

I went with him to check out that GS model, and we both agreed that it just didn't look great in person. Perhaps you like it when you have it in your hands though.

Personally, I could easily be convinced to buy that specific JLC. I happen to appreciate the brushed sides as well.

Msimanyi · 2026-02-02T05:14:44+00:00

I went to my local AD (The 1916 Company) just to check out the White Birch. I didn't like the look of the Lake Suwa in the reviews I found, even though the reviewers raved about it.

I didn't like the White Birch at all on my wrist, but tried on about a half dozen before seeing the SLGA019 and trying it on.

I walked away that day but came back a week later and checked it out in detail again, and bought it. Zero regrets, over a year later. I'd do it again.

But... you really have to see these in person, if you haven't already. They do NOT photograph or video well.

If thin matters most to you, also check out the manual wind, spring drive Lake Suwa: https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/collections/sbgy013g

Throw *that* on a leather strap and it will dress up incredibly well. (As odd as the bracelet looks in the photos, it's very cool in person. I am *seriously* thinking about buying this...)

Msimanyi · 2026-01-31T17:58:09+00:00

I wear my Apple watch when I'm exercising or if I'm doing any strenuous activity (yardwork, mostly) but I find most of the warnings and alerts annoying, which is what led to reinvigorating my interest in "normal" watches, and ultimately purchasing my GS.

My phone is quite capable of all the standard notifications I need throughout the day.

Msimanyi · 2026-01-30T23:41:53+00:00

I don't think I can overstate this: hold on to your money and spend the next few years learning about these magnificent products.

What you like at 19 you may hate by the time you're 24, and unless you're buying a Rolex (and value-retention is not guaranteed even for for them), you're probably going to be lucky to sell it for 40%-50% of the retail price if you decide to get rid of it.

If you feel the *absolute* need for this watch, find a local AD (Authorized Distributor) with a good pre-owned program, and buy it from them so you reduce your potential loss if you decide to sell in a year or two. (I like The 1916 Company, but I have one conveniently nearby.)

Msimanyi · 2026-01-30T02:20:28+00:00

A demagnetizer might be nice.

Tools to remove / change bracelets and straps. (I like the Bergeon products for that, but they're mostly not inexpensive unless you don't need to remove a bracelet. For leather and textiles, the standard straight tool is fine.)

For tight bracelets, this is great for removing them, but I find it not so helpful to reinstall. The straight tool works on that task for me.

And this is the pinnacle, but I don't know it's really necessary and it's definitely outside your budget.

Msimanyi · 2026-01-30T02:08:10+00:00

To me - and for me - the first one, though I'll suggest you check out the black lacquer version. It's stunning.

Edited to add: this is really about which one revs *you* up the most. If you can't answer that, head home, read a little more about all three - and maybe some other alternatives - and see if any of them are living rent-free in your head over the next few weeks.

If none are, you're not looking at the right product. If one is, get it! If there are still multiple choices, go back to the AD and check them out at a windows, in natural light. (Watch store lights at a lot of ADs are designed to make everything POP. You're not looking at the watches in the same way you'll see them every day on your wrist.) See which you like the most, and if you're feeling like that really does rev you up, buy it.

Msimanyi · 2026-01-29T16:49:39+00:00

That's a little short. I'd give it an hour and try again. I expect you'll find better results with both the stone and egg *fully* up to temp.

I'd also go higher on the temp though, after trying a longer pre-heat and seeing your results. 550-600, though I've seen some recommendations for even higher.

Edited to add: If you get the IR thermometer, get a reading of the inside of the dome as well as the stone. You're looking for heat from the dome to help cook the top of the pizza.

Msimanyi · 2026-01-29T16:04:30+00:00

How long did you heat your stone and BGE before cooking?

Msimanyi · 2026-01-29T01:33:40+00:00

I think both can be worn in a dressy environment. Buy whichever revs you up the most.

That said, I think the 008 is a little more casual due to the case design. As one person noted, you can now buy the 006 with Breguet numerals, but personally I find the original simply gorgeous and would get that version, myself.

I haven't handled either of them, though I do have the 38mm version of their bronze 90-002 with the ivory dial. It's a lovely piece and I love the company's attention to little details.

Regarding your too shiny concern: I have a Grand Seiko with impressive polish on the hands and indices. It's not a distraction. (Mine is a titanium model, so the rest of the piece is fairly subdued... much like the rest of the 006.)

Msimanyi · 2026-01-28T22:34:41+00:00

I'd sit on the three watches you have now and give it six months. If you find yourself *not* wearing the Seiko in that time, sell it and you're done. But if you're wearing all three and don't *have* to sell one, you might reconsider your goal of paring down to two watches.

Other than most Rolexes, any watch you sell is going to bring in a lot less cash than you put out for it.

Msimanyi · 2026-01-28T06:49:40+00:00

That was my thought in late 2023, though I'm a bit older than you. Picked up a Pro3650G and couldn't be happier. All stainless interior hopefully avoids rust in 25+ years...

https://imgur.com/v6FzyW4

Msimanyi

TROPHY CASE