Abu Dhabi’s debut Collectors’ Week transformed the tranquil Saadiyat Beach into a magnet for the international collecting community. For three days in early December, the St. Regis hosted a series of programmes delving into the evolution of the global collector market and what the future of collecting may look like, led by key figures including Sotheby’s CEO Charles Stewart and Katia Nounou Boueiz, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East.
Complementing the discussion were a series of galleries set up across the resort grounds, where visitors had the unique opportunity to explore masterpieces like an iconic Marilyn Monroe portrait by Andy Warhol, the original Birkin bag by Hermes, and handpicked supercars from the RM Sotheby’s lots prior to the event’s climactic sale.
A combination of provenance, rarity and emotional resonance are the factors that have driven some of the defining sales of 2025 and these themes played out decisively in the inaugural Abu Dhabi auction. Every single lot found a buyer, making it a ‘white glove sale’ - the preferred outcome for any auction house. RM Sotheby’s emerged as the night’s big winner, achieving a total value of AED 312 million (over USD 85 million), the highest ever recorded for an auction in the Middle East.
A Defining Moment for McLaren
An open-air auditorium on the beachfront and steps away from one of the greens of the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club was the perfect setting for the sale, bathed in moonlight and accompanied by a cooling sea breeze.
McLaren had a strong showing, with a trailblazing 1994 F1 taking centre stage. Designed by Gordon Murray and his team, this was the fastest road car of its time, adapting cutting-edge racing technology for everyday use. Competition is in McLaren’s DNA, however, and a GTR version of the vehicle would triumph at Le Mans in 1995, racing its way into automotive history.
Chassis number 014 (of 64 examples produced) left the factory in Titanium Yellow with black leather interiors for the Royal Family of Brunei, later changing hands and receiving an Ibis White refinish with the sought-after High Downforce Kit. Valued at more than USD 21 million, it surged to USD 25.3 million after a fierce series of bids, securing the auction’s top result and cementing its status as one of 2025’s pivotal collector-car trades.
McLaren’s presence extended far beyond a single headline lot, however. Through an exclusive collaboration with RM Sotheby’s, the marque unveiled the Triple Crown collection: three purpose-built machines that represent its upcoming Formula 1, World Endurance Championship and Indy500 campaigns. McLaren holds the distinction of being the only car manufacturer to have all three championships to its name, and has set its teams the goal of winning them all again - this time in a single season. Each buyer will receive the actual chassis used in competition at the end of the season with all of the relevant race documentation. The full package for each vehicle also includes complimentary tickets to key races alongside premium trackside hospitality experiences and private tours of McLaren’s new Woking technology centre.
The 2026 MCL40A, set to be driven by Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, achieved USD 11.8 million, becoming the evening’s second-highest result. The 2027 WEC LMDh Hypercar followed at USD 7.59 million, while the 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar DW12, destined for Pato O’Ward, delivered a surprise performance at USD 848,750, well above expectations.
An Evening Dominated by Automotive Icons
Ferrari also enjoyed a strong showing with four distinguished models that generated more than USD 11.1 million collectively. A 1990 F40 once allocated to Alain Prost, and still bearing his signature on its roof, led the marque’s entries. The selection also included a LaFerrari from 2014, a 2022 Monza SP2, and a rare SA Aperta built to mark Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary.
A 2006 Pagani Zonda Riviera, adorned in pearl-white and vivid blue detailing to evoke its namesake coast, commanded significant attention due to its pure visual splendour. Originally a Zonda F, it underwent a complete re-imagining under Pagani’s UNICO programme, enabling bespoke collaboration between client and designer. The Riviera ultimately achieved USD 10.1 million, nearly doubling its previous auction figure and securing a position among the top three lots of the night.
The most contemporary entry was a Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 from this year, regarded as the philosophical successor to the McLaren F1. Murray sought to resolve everything he believed imperfect about the original 90s vehicle and produced a lightweight, aerodynamically pure hypercar with a pared-back cabin and flowing exterior profile. The example offered, finished in metallic grey, was the first T.50 ever presented publicly at auction and realised USD 5.63 million.
A Landmark Finale to 2025
The larger world of Sotheby’s has witnessed an unprecedented auction season, energised by exceptional results across several categories. The standout performance came in New York, where Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer’ shattered benchmarks at USD 236 million, becoming the most valuable modern artwork ever sold and second only to Salvator Mundi. It sent a strong signal to art purveyors and collectors across the world that no price is too small for pieces that are truly exceptional.
Abu Dhabi’s own milestone was its inaugural jewellery and watch auction, which concluded with more than USD 25 million in pieces changing hands. The sales were led by a complete quartet of Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 pocket watches that achieved USD 11.9 million, marking only the second time the set has appeared on the public market. Another headline was the Desert Rose, an orangy-pink diamond that eclipsed its estimate at USD 8.8 million and set a new record for its colour category.
With Collectors’ Week merging seamlessly into the opening of the Natural History Museum and the Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi has confidently stepped into the global cultural spotlight after quietly establishing its bona fides for over the past decade. Saadiyat Island, now anchored by world-class local and international institutions and record-setting auctions, has staked its claim as one of the world’s foremost destinations to watch for art, culture and high-value collecting.
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