This pre-owned Omega Speedmaster Ultraman is among the most sought-after modern Speedmaster releases. Launched as a surprise "Speedy Tuesday" limited edition in 2018, it celebrates the Speedmaster worn in the 1971 Japanese TV series "Return of Ultraman". With production strictly limited to 2,012 pieces, these watches sold out within hours and have since become highly collectable.

The manual-winding Calibre 1861—the same legendary movement that went to the Moon—powers this tribute watch. Orange detailing throughout honours Ultraman's iconic colour scheme, from the first three minutes on the chronograph subdial to the distinctive central chronograph hand. Most strikingly, the 9 o'clock subdial features a UV-reactive Ultraman face visible only under ultraviolet light, while the subdial hand is shaped like Ultraman's transformation device.

Omega recommends a complete service every 5-10 years, depending on usage. The service includes complete movement disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, and water-resistance testing. Authorised Omega service centres charge £400-600; independent watchmakers charge £250-350.

Budget for service costs when purchasing pre-owned watches. If the watch's last service date is unknown or more than five years ago, factor in potential near-term service costs. However, manual-winding chronographs generally tolerate longer service intervals than automatic movements, especially those with additional complications.

Water Resistance

The 50m/5 bar rating suits everyday wear, including handwashing and exposure to rain. Avoid swimming, showering, or any submersion in water.

If the watch gets wet by accident, dry it thoroughly—especially around the pushers and crown. Consider professional pressure testing if the watch is regularly exposed to water. Gaskets degrade over time; assume water resistance decreases with age, even if the watch appears pristine.

Hesalite Crystal Care

Omega deliberately chose Hesalite (acrylic) rather than sapphire crystal for the Ultraman—a historically accurate choice that affects both aesthetics and practicality. Hesalite scratches more easily than sapphire, but is more resistant to shattering under impact. For NASA, this meant no dangerous crystal shards in zero gravity.

From a collector's perspective, Hesalite's slight dome and warm light reflection create a "vintage" visual character that sapphire's clinical clarity cannot match. Scratches can be polished out with Polywatch cream—a £5 solution rather than a £200+ crystal replacement.

Daily Winding Procedure

Wind the crown clockwise (turning it away from you when viewing the watch face) until resistance increases—typically 40-50 complete rotations when completely unwound. Don't force past the resistance point; the mainspring fully winds before reaching the mechanical stop.

Best practice: wind at approximately the same time each day (many owners wind in the morning). This maintains consistent mainspring tension and improves timekeeping accuracy. The Calibre 1861 tolerates occasional skipped windings thanks to its 48-hour power reserve.
 

Important: Never wind the watch while wearing it—crown-side pressure can damage the movement or crown threads. Remove the watch or hold it carefully with the crown facing away from your wrist during winding.

The 42mm diameter, with a lug-to-lug length of approximately 48mm, fits wrist circumferences from 15.5cm to 20cm (6.1 to 7.9 inches) comfortably. This is the Speedmaster's signature size—unchanged since 1957 because it simply works.

Small wrists (15.5-17cm): The 42mm case looks larger than a dress watch but isn't oversized. The short 48mm lug-to-lug prevents overhang even on 15.5cm wrists. The Nylon strap's varied adjustability ensures a secure fit.

Medium wrists (17-19cm): Ideal size range. The watch achieves visual balance without dominating your wrist, and its lug-to-lug length ensures comfortable, flush contact.

Large wrists (19cm+): Some might find 42mm modest compared with modern 44-46mm chronographs, but the Speedmaster's proportions were optimised for legibility and comfort rather than visual impact. Many collectors with large wrists deliberately choose Speedmasters precisely because they're NOT wrist-dominating statement pieces.

Strap Alternatives

Whilst this watch comes with two straps as standard, we recommend sourcing an aftermarket strap to fit it. This keeps the two original watch straps in pristine condition whilst you enjoy wearing the watch on any number of straps that look great when fitted to the Ultraman. Contact our team if you want some recommendations. Browse over 1,000 compatible watch straps here - 20mm watch straps.

Our team can provide detailed information about this specific Speedmaster Ultraman, including additional condition photographs, accuracy details, or general guidance on limited-edition Omega ownership. Contact us before purchasing for further photographs, specific condition details, or advice on whether this watch suits your needs. We prefer informed buyers to disappointed ones.

Contact us before purchasing for additional photographs, specific condition details, or advice on whether this watch suits your needs. We prefer informed buyers to disappointed ones.

Authenticity Guarantee: This OMEGA Speedmaster Ultraman is 100% authentic. All watches sold by WatchObsession are genuine.

Discontinued Model: Production of the Speedmaster "Ultraman" ceased after 2,012 pieces were manufactured in 2018. This creates permanent scarcity—no further examples will ever be produced. Parts availability through Omega's service network remains excellent, thanks to shared components with standard Speedmaster Professional models, though some Ultraman-specific parts (dial, hands, bezel) are unique to this limited release.

Hesalite Crystal: This watch uses hesalite (acrylic) crystal rather than sapphire—a historically accurate choice that affects maintenance. Hesalite scratches more easily than sapphire, but polishes simply with Polywatch cream. Choose this option if vintage character appeals; consider sapphire-crystal Speedmasters if pristine crystal condition matters more than historical accuracy.

Market Appreciation: Past performance does not guarantee future results. While market data indicates positive trends, all vintage watches remain subject to fluctuations in value.