Sotheby’s Debuts Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week

This December, Sotheby’s stages its inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, a landmark event bringing more than $1 billion in fine art and luxury objects to the UAE capital. Held in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the four-day programme runs from 2 to 5 December at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, marking a major moment for the region’s rapidly expanding collector community.

The week features the first luxury auction series ever held in the Middle East, presenting $150 million worth of jewellery, watches, handbags, collector cars and real estate, the most valuable auctions staged in the region to date. A further $100 million in rare items will be available through private sale, offering collectors exclusive access to exceptional pieces.

Patek Philippe, An exceptional, highly important and extremely rare set of four yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum double dialled clock watches, estimate �10-20m.webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe, Twenty Dollar Liberty Coin, A yellow gold coin watch, �30,000-50,000.webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | Patek Philippe

Among the auction highlights are a one-of-a-kind McLaren Formula 1 car, the largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond in the world, Jane Birkin’s personal Birkin bag, a complete set of Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 watches, rare Colnago racing bicycles and two extraordinary properties in France and Austria. Many of these items are appearing at auction for the first time, underscoring the event’s global pull.

The Birkin Voyageur owned by Jane Birkin between 2003 and 2007_Sotheby's Abu Dhabi Auction_5 December 2025 (2).webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | The Birkin Voyageur

The Birkin Voyageur owned by Jane Birkin between 2003 and 2007_Sotheby's Abu Dhabi Auction_5 December 2025 (4).webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | Rembrandt

Collectors’ Week also includes a museum-quality fine art exhibition, featuring one of the greatest Rembrandt drawings ever to appear at auction, Gustav Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer, Banksy’s partially shredded Girl Without Balloon, the Guennol Lioness sculpture and works by Salvador Dalí and Piet Mondrian. The presentation reflects Sotheby’s intention to position Abu Dhabi as a destination for world-class art encounters.

Piet Mondrian, Composition No II.webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | Piet Mondrian

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Young Lion Resting, ca. 1638–42, Black chalk with white chalk heightening and grey wash on brown laid paper, 115 x 150 mm.webp — Image courtesy of Sotheby's Collectors' Week | Rembrandt

Beyond buying and viewing, the programme places emphasis on access, education and dialogue. More than a dozen free talks, panel discussions and masterclasses will bring together leading voices in art, design, fashion, jewellery and collecting, including Diana Picasso, Batia Ofer, Thomas Kaplan and His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. Daily sessions hosted by Sotheby’s specialists will explore craftsmanship, provenance and evolving collecting trends.

For Sotheby’s, the debut edition signals a long-term investment in the UAE. “The UAE has rapidly become a global centre for art, luxury and culture, and we are honoured to present a world-class lineup of auctions, panels and masterclasses to the region, during one of the busiest weeks of the year in their calendar,” says Charles F. Stewart, Sotheby’s Chief Executive Officer.

As Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position on the global cultural stage, Collectors’ Week arrives as a timely convergence of artistry, expertise and momentum.