Sotheby’s has announced the debut of its Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi, unveiling more than $1 billion worth of fine art, jewellery, watches, handbags, collector cars and real estate.
The four-day event, held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) from 2–5 December at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, marks the auction house’s largest-ever presentation in the region.
The programme will include five live luxury auctions valued at $150 million, the most valuable ever staged in the Middle East, alongside $100 million in private sale offerings. Among the highlights are a 2026 McLaren Formula 1 team car, the world’s largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond, a full Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 set, and Jane Birkin’s personal Birkin bag.
Sotheby’s will also stage a major Fine Art exhibition featuring Gustav Klimt’s Lady with a Fan, Banksy’s Girl Without Balloon, a rare Rembrandt drawing, and The Guennol Lioness, the most valuable ancient artefact ever sold at auction.
Charles F. Stewart, Sotheby’s Chief Executive Officer, said the event underscores the UAE’s rise as a global hub for art and luxury. “The UAE has rapidly become a centre for culture and connoisseurship. We are honoured to present this world-class lineup of auctions and exhibitions in Abu Dhabi during one of the most dynamic weeks of the year.”
“Hosting the inaugural Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi reflects our city’s leading position in the world of rare and highly coveted collector pieces. The unveiling of extraordinary items – from McLaren’s next F1 concept to the largest flawless diamond in the world and the first complete Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 ever offered – affirms Abu Dhabi’s place at the heart of the world’s most exceptional collections,” said Noora Al Foulathi, Head of Abu Dhabi Retail.
“This partnership with Sotheby’s cements our city as the ‘Capital of Collectibles’; and beyond the auctions themselves, it’s about the conversations, connections, and sense of community that events like this create. We are proud to welcome this debut edition to the capital.”
Complementing the auctions and exhibitions will be a series of more than a dozen talks and masterclasses, featuring figures such as Diana Picasso, Batia Ofer, and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, alongside specialists in jewellery, art, and design.
Josh Pullan, Global Head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, said the week signals a new chapter in Sotheby’s expansion. “Abu Dhabi’s fast-evolving collector base and long-term cultural vision make it the ideal home for our inaugural event. Collectors’ Week is both a celebration of craftsmanship and a bridge to the future of global collecting.”