Abu Dhabi is becoming a global hub of art, affluence, and auctions. In a historic first, Sotheby’s will hold its inaugural auction in the capital, joining hands with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) for a landmark collaboration. The partnership will give collectors in the emirate and internationally access to an exclusive program of auctions, masterclasses, panel discussions, and exhibitions.
Set against the stunning backdrop of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, the event will bring together supercars and superior diamonds to enthrall the most discerning tastes. Among the highlights is a trio of future competition cars: a 2026 McLaren Formula 1 car, a 2027 McLaren United Autosport racer, and a 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar. These machines will go under the hammer on December 5, coinciding with the final Formula 1 race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Other headline lots include a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, estimated at $9.5 to $10.5 million, and a rare 2010 Aston Martin One-77, valued at $1.3 to $1.6 million. Yet even these engineering marvels may not outshine the auction’s star lot: the 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond, aptly nicknamed The Desert Rose. The pear-shaped gem, the largest of its kind ever graded, is part of a $20 million single-owner private collection of watches and jewelry, and is expected to fetch between $5 million and $7 million. The same collection also features an exceptionally rare Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona, estimated at $500,000 to $1 million, according to Esquire.
The Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week will take place from December 2 to 5, adding to the bustle of one of the busiest and most dynamic weeks in the region. Alongside the Formula One Grand Prix, the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit 2025, Abu Dhabi Finance Week, and Bitcoin MENA, the city will attract a global audience, cementing its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs for culture, art, and luxury.
