Please explain the Ultraman connexion to me.

[Blackdog]

First of all, let me state that I have no trolling intentions. This is just personal curiosity.

I don't quite get the attractive of (or even the reason for) the Ultraman Speedy.

I mean, I fully understand the zillion LEs of the Speedy linked to various space program themes. The Apollo, and earlier missions and all that.

Even the slightly off-track Snoopy editions were liked to Apollo/NASA.

But then why Ultraman ? I guess some character must have used a Speedy at some point, but was it so relevant ?

I remember the series from when I was a kid, but it was never a huge hit where I come from. Matter of fact I never heard of Ultraman again until the chatter begun with this Speedy. I had to google it up to check if it was really about the same Ultraman I remembered !

Has this series reached cult status in some countries and I'm not aware of that ? Had the Speedy ever played a relevant role in the series ?

Thanks for the insight.

[MATCH1969]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

First of all, let me state that I have no trolling intentions. This is just personal curiosity.

I don't quite get the attractive of (or even the reason for) the Ultraman Speedy.

I mean, I fully understand the zillion LEs of the Speedy linked to various space program themes. The Apollo, and earlier missions and all that.

Even the slightly off-track Snoopy editions were liked to Apollo/NASA.

But then why Ultraman ? I guess some character must have used a Speedy at some point, but was it so relevant ?

I remember the series from when I was a kid, but it was never a huge hit where I come from. Matter of fact I never heard of Ultraman again until the chatter begun with this Speedy. I had to google it up to check if it was really about the same Ultraman I remembered !

Has this series reached cult status in some countries and I'm not aware of that ? Had the Speedy ever played a relevant role in the series ?

Thanks for the insight.

Perhaps dedicated to Asian market where Ultraman seems to be still very popular.

[ree7]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

First of all, let me state that I have no trolling intentions. This is just personal curiosity.

I don't quite get the attractive of (or even the reason for) the Ultraman Speedy.

I mean, I fully understand the zillion LEs of the Speedy linked to various space program themes. The Apollo, and earlier missions and all that.

Even the slightly off-track Snoopy editions were liked to Apollo/NASA.

But then why Ultraman ? I guess some character must have used a Speedy at some point, but was it so relevant ?

I remember the series from when I was a kid, but it was never a huge hit where I come from. Matter of fact I never heard of Ultraman again until the chatter begun with this Speedy. I had to google it up to check if it was really about the same Ultraman I remembered !

Has this series reached cult status in some countries and I'm not aware of that ? Had the Speedy ever played a relevant role in the series ?

Thanks for the insight.

I suggest reading this article for deeper info https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedmaster-ultraman/
In brief, 2018 Ultraman is made as a tribute to the vintage "Ultraman" 145.022-67. The vintage Ultraman Speedmaster is a 67 with special orange chronograph hand and different dial finish. It was featured in Ultraman episode of its time (60s) because the producer simply liked it, not due to Omega's interventions.

To quote the fratellowatches article:
Speedmaster 145.012-67 "Ultraman"
In the serial number range of roughly 3000 watches (26.076.xxx and 26.079.xxx, which corresponds to a production in 1968), an unknown number of watches were assembled with an orange hand. The reason is unknown, but after it became clear that these watches played a role in Ultraman, they were nicknamed ‘Speedmaster Ultraman’ or the ‘Ultraman Speedmaster’.

At this time, it isn’t clear how many of them are around but once in a while, someone claims to have an all original Speedmaster Ultraman in his possession. Omega documented some of them as a Speedmaster that left the factory with an orange hand, as can be seen on the Extract of the Archives above. It is clear and confirmed that at least not all of these roughly 3000 pieces have an orange hand. Unconfirmed, it is said that less than 50 Ultraman watches are known/identified.

These watches were shipped to different markets, so not only to Japan."

As to why the 2018 seems to be a hit. I guess mainly because it's an officially licensed merchandise with a rather high collectible value. Speedmaster collector and Ultraman nostalgia/fans alike might be hunting them down.

[colpol]

Agree - just another in a v long line of LE’s

Ree7 - good link you posted earlier for additional info