Sotheby’s brings over $1 Billion in art and luxury to Abu Dhabi for the first ever Collectors’ Week

Fancy seeing a Banksy go under the hammer? Or standing a few steps away from a Rembrandt drawing, Klimt’s final portrait, or the largest flawless diamond in the world? Sotheby’s is making that possible right here in Abu Dhabi as it brings more than $1 billion worth of fine art, rare luxury pieces, supercars and cultural icons to the capital for its first ever Collectors’ Week.

Taking over The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort from 2 to 5 December, this four day showcase blends museum level exhibitions, once in a lifetime auctions, iconic objects, specialist talks and masterclasses. Whether you collect, browse, dream or simply want to witness pieces that people usually fly to New York or London to see, this is the week to be on Saadiyat.

Here's what’s happening at Collectors’ Week:

Five Major Auctions in One Day

On 5 December, Sotheby’s is hosting five back to back auctions worth more than $150 million in luxury lots. Look out for a few world firsts and headline pieces including:

• A 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team car offered before the public has even seen it. Bidders can own the chassis that Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri will race in the 2026 season.

• Jane Birkin’s personal Birkin bag, one of only five made for her, estimated up to $440,000.

• The largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond in the world, estimated at $5 to 7 million.

• The first complete Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 set to ever appear at auction, estimated up to $20 million.

• Rare Colnago bicycles, two extraordinary properties, and more.

Private Sale Showcases

Alongside the auctions is a $100 million private sale collection featuring:

• The largest flawless diamond in the world

• A deep green diamond of exceptional rarity

• A Harry Winston ruby suite

• Birkin and Kelly handbags

• Rolex and Patek Philippe timepieces

These items will be available to browse discreetly for collectors across all four days.

Fine art takes centre stage

Museum Level Exhibitions

Collectors’ Week also features a curated fine art exhibition that brings together some of the most talked about and historically significant works ever handled by Sotheby’s:

• One of the finest Rembrandt drawings to appear on the market

• Gustav Klimt’s Lady with a Fan

• Banksy’s shredded Girl Without Balloon

• The Guennol Lioness, the most valuable ancient artefact ever sold at auction

• Works by Mondrian and Dali

Everything is staged in a gallery style format and open to the public.

Talks, panels and masterclasses

More than a dozen free talks and sessions will run throughout the week, including:

• Diana Picasso on the Picasso legacy

• Jewellery Is Art with Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle

• A deep dive into the Birkin story and its cultural impact

• Daily masterclasses focused on craftsmanship, provenance and collecting

These are designed to be interesting whether you’re a long time collector or just art curious.

RM Sotheby’s: Supercars take the spotlight

For motorsport fans, RM Sotheby’s brings an exceptional automotive line up to Abu Dhabi, including:

• A 1994 McLaren F1 estimated above $21 million

• A Gordon Murray T.50, the first ever offered at auction

• Three new, yet to be unveiled McLaren competition cars across F1, IndyCar and WEC

• A 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SLR racing sports car on display only

• Ayrton Senna’s 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix winning McLaren MP4/6 offered via Sotheby’s Sealed

So, if you love motorsport history, this is a rare chance to see all of these in the same place.

A first for cycling fans

Running from 21 November to 5 December is a boutique online auction of historic Colnago models, featuring:

• Tadej Pogacar’s Tour de France winning frame

• A restored Eddy Merckx Hour Record bike

• A Ferrari engineered Colnago C35 from 1989

• The Colnago C68 Rossa No. 1, linked to La Vuelta

Perfect for those who love cycling both as sport and design.

Where The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

When Exhibitions open 2 to 5 December. Live auctions take place on 5 December.

More info Sothebys.com/ADCollectorsWeek