Introduction
Produced during the 1990s, the Yema Bipole is a highly unusual tool watch conceived for use in extreme polar environments. Designed with dual-orientation functionality, the watch could be physically flipped depending on whether the wearer was operating in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, an inventive concept inspired by the unique navigational challenges encountered near the Earth’s poles. Perhaps most remarkably, the Bipole is also believed to represent the very first watch design created by Richard Mille, decades before he would establish the avant-garde brand that now bears his name. Combining experimental ergonomics with an unapologetically utilitarian aesthetic, the Bipole stands as a fascinating early example of unconventional sports watch design from a figure who would later become one of modern watchmaking’s most influential personalities.
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Grade
M 10
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box, papers and accessories
Est. value range
$1,000 – $2,000
The Details
Brand
Yema
Dimensions
46mm
Model
Bipôle Duopoly
Movement
Quartz
Reference
N/A
Bracelet
Kevlar and nylon Velcro strap
Year
1990
Condition
New
Material
Titanium
Included
Box, papers, spare strap and accessories
Dial Color
Silver
The Dial
Designed with legibility as a priority, the Bipole’s dial features a highly functional layout intended for use in demanding conditions. Large luminous hands and bold markers provide excellent visibility, while the unconventional orientation system reflects the watch’s specialist purpose as a polar exploration instrument.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The Bipole’s oversized 46mm construction emphasizes practicality and durability, with its unusual reversible architecture forming the centerpiece of the design. Created for use in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the watch could be physically flipped depending on the pole being explored, an inventive solution that reinforces the model’s experimental and highly specialized nature. The utilitarian Kevlar and Velcro strap further underscores the watch’s expedition-focused character.
THE PROFILE
Thanks to its quartz movement, the watch maintains a slim and elegant profile that perfectly complements its overall design.
Condition
The watch is in new/deadstock condition. The plastic box is brittle and shows a couple small cracks along the edges.
Our Perspective
This was Richard Mille’s very first watch design. It was designed for expeditions to the North and South Poles and can be flipped over for whichever pole you’re exploring. This is an unusual typology and an apt precursor to what Mille would bring to the watch world only ten years later.
Patrick Parrish
Collector
