In the collecting world, there are the icons and there are the unicorns. The first category refers to the model themselves (think Omega Speedmaster in general). The second category refers to some exceptionally rare editions that some collectors could spend a lifetime searching for. The Omega Speedmaster “Ultraman” Orange Hand is one of them.

The name “Ultraman” is a reference to Japanese series “The Return of Ultraman”, a tokusatsu science fiction TV series – the fourth in the Ultra Series – created by Eiji Tsubaraya and produced in 1971. What is important for us here isn’t the show itself but the appearance of a watch in episode 8 of the series: a close-up of an Omega Speedmaster featuring a surprising orange central seconds hand (see image above). This explains the nickname given to this extremely rare version of the Speedmaster. Apparently, Eiji Tsubaraya was a watch collector himself and the fact that this series was produced only two years after the Moon landing probably explains why a Speedmaster appears in a sci-fi series.

For some years, many collectors believed these watches were mods. However, after extensive research, it appears that a small batch of Speedmaster watches was produced by Omega – according to Moonwatch Only, the number of official “Ultraman” watches is still unknown. What is known is that all these watches were produced in 1968 and with serial numbers ranging from 26.076.xxx and 26.079.xxx (approximately 3,000 watches, even though most of them aren’t equipped with an orange hand). All of them are also known as Ref. ST 145.012-67, meaning pre-moon versions with an asymmetric case and the 321 calibre.

This Speedy Tuesday 2 Limited Edition marks the return of the Ultraman watch, with several features found on this vintage watch. However, as with the first Speedy Tuesday Edition, there are several new things to note too. The Speedy Tuesday 2 “Ultraman” isn’t just a replica of the past model.

This watch was created with Robert-Jan and his team at FratelloWatches and again pays tribute to the hyper-active collecting community #SpeedyTuesday. As such, the Speedy Tuesday 2 “Ultraman” is again a limited edition, again with 2,012 pieces produced (the inception date of Speedy Tuesday).

The new Ultraman is based on the classic Moonwatch 42mm steel case, with the exact same finishing (polished and brushed surfaces). Also, it has the historically relevant hesalite (Plexiglas) domed crystal on top. Inside ticks the same movement, meaning the iconic hand-wound calibre 1861. The movement is wound by a slightly different crown with fine teeth and vintage Omega logo – an ode to the 1960s models.

The “icing on the cake” comes at night, as an orange silhouette of Ultraman is actually painted in black Super-LumiNova inside the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. A cool feature that sets this watch apart – a UV lamp is delivered with the watch so you can play with it… The Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday 2 “Ultraman” is delivered with a NATO strap and a leather strap, both black with orange accents matching the dial. Finally, it is delivered in a retro-futuristic hexagonal box – a tribute to the futuristic table used by the Monster Attack Team. Inside, there is a spare black leather strap and the “Beta Capsule” strap changer with its UV light.

GREAT VARIETY FOR DIFFERENT TASTES