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.