Abu Dhabi is preparing to add another milestone to its growing cultural calendar as Sotheby’s announces its first-ever marquee auction series in the city. Scheduled from December 2 to 5, 2025, the series will introduce Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, a new platform that combines exhibitions, masterclasses, panel discussions, and high-profile auctions.
The initiative is being presented in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and reflects Sotheby’s commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for culture, art, and luxury. The events will unfold on Saadiyat Island, already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and soon to welcome the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum.
Katia Nounou Boueiz, Head of Sotheby’s UAE and Deputy Chairman, Middle East, said: “By any measure, Abu Dhabi has become a leading global destination for culture and luxury. In that spirit, we are excited to join forces with ADIO to present a vision of the future for collecting and luxury experiences. Our December showcase on Saadiyat Island, during one of the busiest weeks in the Abu Dhabi calendar, will be unmissable for collectors across the region and internationally.”
The program begins earlier in the year, with Sotheby’s launching a series of events from September. Its first Abu Dhabi auction will take place in October during The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ. The momentum will build toward December, when Collectors’ Week brings together auctions of high jewellery, rare timepieces, collector cars, and exclusive real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, complemented by a museum-quality fine art exhibition.
Noora Al Foulathi, Head of Abu Dhabi Retail, said, “Abu Dhabi is where heritage transcends time and connoisseurship is a way of life. With the exclusive global debut of Collectors’ Week in the capital, we unveil more than rare and exceptional pieces – we reaffirm the city’s cultural depth, shaped by the quiet power of true luxury.”
The December showcase coincides with one of the busiest weeks in Abu Dhabi, which also features the Formula One Grand Prix, the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, Abu Dhabi Finance Week, and Bitcoin MENA. Sotheby’s expects to attract international collectors, investors, and cultural figures, further linking Abu Dhabi to global conversations around luxury and culture.
Josh Pullan, Global Head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, said, “At Sotheby’s, we have taken incredible strides to cement our position as a global powerhouse for luxury. This unprecedented auction week – and all of the events that will lead up to it – is poised to showcase the very best of what Sotheby’s has to offer, and we are thrilled to already be able to announce that the week will be anchored by a single-owner collection replete with top quality jewellery and watches, alongside unparalleled automobiles. With the Middle East – and the UAE in particular – as one of the most dynamic drivers of the luxury industry, we could have chosen no better home to do this than Abu Dhabi.”
The offering has already started to generate attention. A landmark single-owner collection of jewellery and watches, expected to achieve more than $20 million, will feature rare diamonds, signed pieces, and significant vintage timepieces. Leading the collection is The Desert Rose, a 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond – the largest ever graded of its kind – estimated at $5 – 7 million.
Another highlight is a Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona, reference 6263, produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Distinguished by its monochromatic silver dial, this rare variant carries an estimate of $500,000 to $1 million.
Collector cars will also be part of the line-up. RM Sotheby’s will collaborate with McLaren Racing on the “Triple Crown” project, offering three future competition cars before they have been raced: a 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team car, a 2027 McLaren United AS World Endurance Championship racer, and a 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team entry for the Indianapolis 500. Buyers will also receive exclusive experiences, including factory tours, VIP race access, and early opportunities to purchase future McLaren models.
Other cars include a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, presented in pearl white with blue accents and carbon fibre, estimated at $9.5 – 10.5 million, and a rare 2010 Aston Martin One-77, one of only 77 produced, estimated at $1.3 – 1.6 million.
Collectors’ Week will take place at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, with sale highlights touring Sotheby’s global locations in advance. The series represents Sotheby’s most ambitious move yet in the region, designed to bring international collecting closer to Abu Dhabi while giving global audiences a reason to look toward the city. As December approaches, the auctions will not only test the strength of the regional market but also signal how firmly Abu Dhabi is positioning itself within the world of art and luxury.
