What does a film studio do with warehouses of monster costumes from various films, faced with the new medium of television? Repurpose them, of course, for a monsters vs superheroes television series. Which is exactly what Eiji Tsurabaya did: Ultra Q premiered on Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation in 1966, and saw the birth of the Ultra series.

Eiji Tsurabaya died in 1970, having intended to end the Ultra series with Ultra Seven in 1967. His son, Hajime, took over Tsurabaya Productions and in 1971, saw the revival of the Ultra series with The Return of Ultraman. It’s in this particular TV series that saw an Omega Speedmaster 145.012 with a distinct orange hand being featured as the Monster Attack Team held their breath and counting down, quite literally, the seconds of Ultraman remaining in superhero form, thus earning the nickname Speedmaster Ultraman. 

So what?

Watch enthusiasts were teased by various sources on July 10, 2018 with hints that another Speedy Tuesday was coming. It was later that evening (Australian Eastern Standard Time, at least), that details of the actual watch was released, and in less than two hours, all 2,012 pieces were allocated online. Delivery started in the latter half of August 2018, only weeks after the pre-orders. Omega clearly changed their logistics to avoid the problems and ensuing frustrations from the first Speedy Tuesday release.

Like its predecessor, the design and execution of the Speedy Tuesday Ultraman obviously was driven by the penchants of its fans. The dot-over-ninety (DON) bezel, the stepped dial, vintage applied logo, the orange hand, and the Calibre 1861 movement are obvious homages to the 1967 original. The secret Ultraman silhouette, the three-minute countdown in the subdial, and the Beta Capsule box are cleverly incorporated into the watch and overall experience for the Ultraman fans. 

The problem with it is…

Accessibility is the main issue. Being a limited edition, and selling out in less than 2 hours, currently the second hand and resale market pricing is significantly above the recommended retail price. At the time of drafting (more than 2 years after the release), prices remain significantly (by that, at least more than 30%) above the RRP. It will be interesting to see how the market values this piece for years to come, and how much of its value derives from being an enthusiast-driven #SpeedyTuesday release, a rare Omega that has Ultraman in its name and design, and the limited 2,012 pieces made. 

Would I own one?

Ida says...

Totally. There is sentimental value attached to this: Ultraman was a show I grew up watching, so the bias is definitely there. It has been surprisingly fun to wear, even though in the past I’ve found Speedmaster Professionals too big to wear on my slim wrist. This one, though, manages to look more than ok. Partly aided by the NATO strap, which isn’t too long, and with holes enough to fit most wrists; the contrast between the black and orange gives it a nice casual look. The watch still has weight, and definitely has a presence. The centre orange hand is striking, but not overwhelmingly so; there’s a lovely aesthetic continuity when paired with the NATO strap and everything just aligns. As for the faux patina lume, it’s not overly done, and doesn’t bother me that much. In the metal, it looks much more at home with the remaining elements, and not too obvious; the cream markers give it a nice worn-in feel without departing too much from the new-ness of the watch. I even love the packaging and the almost gimmicky strap change tool/black light that comes with the watch.

Firmin says…

If I were to pick a modern Speedy, this would be amongst my top picks. I like that it’s quite close to the rather austere ‘regular’ Speedy Pro but with a bit more flair. The supplied NATO also looks excellent on the watch.