This December, Abu Dhabi became the center of the global luxury world as Sotheby’s hosted its inaugural Collectors’ Week, reportedly unveiling over $1 billion worth of fine art, collectibles, and luxury items. Running from 2–5 December at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, the event marks the first major luxury auction series ever staged in the Middle East, signaling the region’s rise as a global cultural hub.
The event stems from Sotheby’s partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), part of the UAE’s broader ambition to become a leading cultural and luxury destination. ADQ’s minority equity investment in Sotheby’s in October 2024 provided the foundation for this unprecedented Middle East expansion.
Record-Breaking Auctions
The week’s highlight featured five live auctions on 5 December, showcasing $150 million in luxury items, including jewellery, watches, handbags, collector cars, and real estate, the largest of their kind in the Middle East.
Notable pieces included:
McLaren’s Triple Crown Project: Three unrevealed racing cars, including a 2026 Formula 1 car, estimated at $10–20 million.
Jane Birkin’s personal Birkin bag: One of only five ever made, estimated $240,000–440,000.
The Desert Rose Diamond: Largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond, 31.86 carats, estimated $5–7 million.
Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000: First complete set ever offered at auction, estimated $10–20 million.
Automotive Icons Steal the Show
Automobiles took center stage with 32 exceptional cars, including:
1994 McLaren F1, chassis 014: Originally delivered to Brunei royalty, signed by Schumacher and Hamilton, valued over $21 million.
2025 Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, chassis 035: First T.50 auctioned in the region, valued over $5 million.
These automotive auctions coincided strategically with Abu Dhabi’s Formula One Grand Prix, enhancing the event’s global appeal.
Art, Culture, and Education
Collectors’ Week also featured museum-quality exhibitions and a cultural programme:
“Icons: Abu Dhabi” exhibition: Showcased masterpieces like Gustav Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer and Banksy’s Girl Without Balloon.
Rembrandt’s Young Lion Resting: Estimated $15–20 million, proceeds benefiting Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization.
Masterclasses and panels: Led by Sotheby’s specialists on jewellery, handbags, and fine art, offering insights into craftsmanship and collecting.
Luxury Real Estate on Display
The inaugural Middle East event also included high-end real estate auctions:
Waterfront estate in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France: €35 million for 680 sqm of living space.
Zaha Hadid’s ARGOS boutique apartment hotel, Austria: €19 million, located in a UNESCO World Heritage district.
Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Emergence
Collectors’ Week goes beyond auctions, it reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision for economic diversification, cultural development, and global prestige. Scheduled during the emirate’s busiest cultural week, alongside the F1 Grand Prix, the event positions Abu Dhabi as a key hub for global art and luxury collectors, rivaling traditional auction centers like New York, London, and Hong Kong.
