Today is a momentous day in Citizen Watch Company history.? It marks the introduction of the company’s very first high-grade fully mechanical wristwatch.? Until now, Citizen has produced millions of highly accurate and fairly high-end quartz watches under its own name, while leaving the mechanical movements created under the Miyota name to other brands.

Today is a momentous day in Citizen Watch Company history.? It marks the introduction of the company’s very first high-grade fully mechanical wristwatch.? Until now, Citizen has produced millions of highly accurate and fairly high-end quartz watches under its own name, while leaving the mechanical movements created under the Miyota name to other brands.

The design of these new automatic Citizens, inspired by the company’s 80th birthday, is very stoic, but attractive, and they feature a nice exhibition back to see the labor of love powering the timepiece.? We’ve been told the movement, while likely based on a Miyota, is completely new and in-house, and resembles the Grand Seiko movements in both form and function.

The movement has a 42 hour power reserve, the steel case and bracelet feature a Duratect scratch-resistant treatment and are polished with Zaratsu technique (whatever that is).? They are sized at a smallish 37.5mm.? However, most importantly and impressively, these new uber-Citizens come with a ten year warranty that includes two free inspections!? Match that, Swiss watch industry, we dare you.

These watches are available as of this very day (May 28th, 2010) but only in Japan.? Retail price is JPY294,000, or approximately $3270.?

So what do you think, does this new mechanical Citizen have what it takes to compete with the likes Omega in this price category?? Does the ten year warranty and two free inspections mean anything to you??

This is one we’ll be watching closely…

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Citizen Introduces Their First Mechanical Watch, Ever: A Ten Year Warranty & Eco-Drive, No More!