Sotheby’s launches Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week 2025, a landmark showcase of art, jewellery, cars and culture on Saadiyat Island.
Abu Dhabi has been steadily positioning itself at the centre of art, culture and luxury. This December that ambition reaches new heights with the debut of Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week. From 2 to 5 December 2025, Sotheby’s, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), will stage its first marquee auction series in the UAE capital. The event underscores both Sotheby’s commitment to the region and Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global cultural hub.
For four days, Saadiyat Island will be the stage for auctions, exhibitions, masterclasses and panel discussions. Set against The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, and close to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and soon-to-open Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the programme is designed to draw collectors, thought leaders and tastemakers from around the world.
“By any measure, Abu Dhabi has become a leading global destination for culture and luxury,” said Katia Nounou Boueiz, Head of Sotheby’s UAE and Deputy Chairman, Middle East. “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.”
An Exclusive Global Debut
Sotheby’s describes Collectors’ Week as a vision for the future of collecting. Alongside its auctions, there will be panel talks with industry leaders, immersive exhibitions and private viewings of museum-quality works. The timing coincides with one of Abu Dhabi’s busiest weeks, when the city already hosts the Formula One Grand Prix, the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, Abu Dhabi Finance Week and Bitcoin MENA. The overlap ensures the capital will be in the global spotlight.
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.”
A Curated Series of Auctions
The core of Collectors’ Week will be Sotheby’s auction programme spanning jewellery, timepieces, collector cars and exclusive real estate. Previews will be held internationally in the lead-up to December. The selection reflects the increasingly wide interests of global collectors and positions Abu Dhabi as a nexus for luxury assets.
Josh Pullan, Global Head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, noted, “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. 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.”
Rare Automobiles Take Centre Stage
RM Sotheby’s will present extraordinary collector cars, including a collaboration with McLaren Racing under the ‘Triple Crown’ project. Offered even before entering competition, a 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team car, a 2027 McLaren United AS World Endurance Championship racer and a 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Indianapolis 500 car will be among the headline lots.
Other highlights include a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, estimated at $9.5–10.5 million, and a 2010 Aston Martin One-77 estimated at $1.3-1.6 million. Both represent pinnacle achievements in modern automotive design.
A Single-Owner Collection of Global Significance
Anchoring the week is a single-owner jewellery and watch collection, valued at more than $20 million. It features rare diamonds, coloured gemstones, signed vintage and modern pieces, and important timepieces.
The star lot is The Desert Rose, a 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond, the largest of its kind ever graded. Estimated at $5-7 million, it made its first public appearance in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Timepiece highlights include a Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona, reference 6263, estimated at $500,000-1 million. Fewer than a handful exist, and the model gained fame after Eric Clapton’s personal example appeared at auction nearly twenty years ago.
A City of Culture and Vision
Abu Dhabi has steadily built its reputation as a cultural capital. Saadiyat Island already hosts the Louvre Abu Dhabi and will soon add the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. Sotheby’s decision to launch Collectors’ Week here aligns with that trajectory.
The move follows ADQ’s minority equity stake in Sotheby’s in 2024, the largest art-world investment since Patrick Drahi acquired the auction house in 2019. Since then, Sotheby’s has expanded regionally, incorporating in Abu Dhabi alongside Dubai and Riyadh. Earlier this year, Sotheby’s and ADIO presented an exhibition of more than $100 million in rare coloured diamonds in Abu Dhabi.
Jean-Luc Berrebi, Sotheby’s board member focused on the UAE, said, “Sotheby’s incorporation in Abu Dhabi marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East. This strategic move reflects our deep confidence in the region’s dynamic cultural landscape and our growing partnerships with its visionary leaders, collectors, and institutions. We look forward to contributing meaningfully to the UAE’s vibrant art ecosystem and expanding our presence across the region.”
Abu Dhabi’s wider luxury vision
ADIO plays a key role in Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification. Its work with Sotheby’s reflects a focus on innovation, exclusivity and cultural exchange, while strengthening the city’s luxury profile.
Collectors’ Week will not only showcase exceptional objects but also highlight Abu Dhabi’s identity as a leader in global luxury and culture.
A Global Gathering
The timing of the event, aligned with Formula One and major international summits, ensures it will attract global collectors and investors. Sale highlights will tour internationally before the December auctions, building momentum worldwide.
For Sotheby’s, it is both a continuation of its history and a bold expansion. For Abu Dhabi, it is a statement of intent, positioning the city as a definitive global centre for luxury.
