Omega Omega Speedmaster Professional "Ultraman" 145.012-67 SP

Ref. 145.012-67 SPA fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter bezel and special orange chronograph hand

Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1968 Reference No: 145.012-67 SP Movement No: 26.077.649 Model Name: Omega Speedmaster Professional "Ultraman" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 321, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch on June 6, 1968, and delivered to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI).The success of the Omega Speedmaster reference 145.012 “Ultraman” can be explained by its direct and playful link to collector's younger years. In the mid-1960s, Japanese director Eiji Tsuburaya (co-creator of the original Godzilla series) began writing what would become the Ultraman series. Ultraman begins with an intergalactic being (Ultraman) accidentally colliding with and killing a member of Earth’s Science Special Search Party (SSSP), Shin Hayata. Feeling remorseful, Ultraman merges his own life force with Hayata’s and vows to defend Earth against any that would seek to threaten it. Ultraman lives within Hayata, who transforms into Ultraman when the need arises. While Hayata is a normal man, Ultraman is a 40 meter tall silver and red-orange creature. His crested head and large, intimidating eyes became instantly iconic, as did his orange and silver suit. The catch was that Ultraman could only fight for three minutes before his energy was depleted. In 1971, according to Omega, the producers of Ultraman Returns selected Omega’s "Moonwatch" as part of the Monster Attack Team’s monster fighting kit. Reference 145.012-67 was also used by more contemporary superheroes such as the astronauts on the Apollo 11, Apollo 14, and Apollo-Soyuz missions. It was the last Speedmaster model to be fitted with the renowned caliber 321 and is set apart from its predecessors by its ‘SP’ (‘SP’ for “Spécial Poussoirs” or “special pushers”) that increased water resistance. For many years collectors believed these watches were later modifications. However, after prolonged research, it appears that a very limited batch (less than fifty) of Speedmaster watches were produced by Omega with the iconic central second orange hand. However, 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. With the introduction in the summer of 2018 of the immensely successful Speedy Tuesday Ultraman limited edition, interest in vintage Ultraman Speedmasters has dramatically increased. The present lot, delivered in 1968 to the Navy,Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) is preserved in great condition and is a remarkable opportunity for the collector of unusual and rare vintage pieces to own one of the fabled Ultraman Speedmaster.