Even as the year nearly draws to a close, there’s still one date you’ll want to circle twice on your calendar. Saadiyat Island is hosting Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, a special luxury gathering during the Formula 1 weekend.
Combining the worlds of art, high jewellery, watches, and automobiles under one roof at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, the event, presented by Sotheby’s and RM Sotheby’s, the auction house’s automotive division, will take place in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The schedule is designed as a four-day programme of live auctions, exhibitions, masterclasses, and panel discussions that will explore the world of collecting. From December 2 to 5, an international audience of enthusiasts, tastemakers, and industry leaders will gather to experience a multi-category line-up of rare and investment-grade pieces spanning fine art, timepieces, jewellery, and automobiles. The event will also coincide with major moments on the city’s agenda, including the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, Abu Dhabi Finance Week, and Bitcoin MENA, ensuring it attracts a truly global crowd of influential guests.
For motoring enthusiasts and those who simply appreciate feats of design and engineering, the line-up will include some of the most coveted cars in existence. RM Sotheby’s has already confirmed the one-of-one 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, a handcrafted evolution of the Zonda F personally overseen by Horacio Pagani. Finished in Pearl White with electric blue accents, exposed carbon fibre, and a blue Alcantara and black leather interior, the hypercar embodies the brand’s dedication to analogue precision and Mediterranean flair, powered by a naturally aspirated AMG-tuned 7.3-litre V12 capable of 750 horsepower It will be showcased alongside the 2010 Aston Martin One-77, one of only 77 units ever built and ordered originally by a Middle Eastern collector.
With its carbon-fibre chassis, hand-beaten aluminium body, and 7.3-litre V12 engine, the One-77 is one of the British marque’s most celebrated and exclusive models. Both cars are expected to be among the most talked-about consignments of the season—and who knows, they may even be spotted in their full glory on Abu Dhabi’s roads soon after.
Adding to the excitement is the historic first public offering of a Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, which will be offered for sale alongside the legendary hypercar that inspired it: the McLaren F1. Chassis 014 is one of only 64 roadgoing McLaren F1s ever built and is among the most striking, thanks to a factory upgraded High Downforce Kit usually found on LM models. The T.50, meanwhile, is chassis 035, finished in Harrier paint with Gloss Carbon detailing, Dark Grey wheels, and Heritage Orange accents, a configuration chosen by its commissioning owner in 2022.
The car has covered less than 300 kilometres and marks a new milestone for Gordon Murray’s celebrated automotive legacy For Duccio Lopresto, Managing Director MENA at RM Sotheby’s, the event will be as much about culture as business. “The McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera and Aston Martin One-77 are the ultimate expressions of performance, craftsmanship, and distinction,” he explains. “They embody the very spirit of Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week — a celebration of power, elegance, and exclusivity,” he says, summarising what is set to be the running theme across the week.
“Abu Dhabi is where heritage transcends time and connoisseurship is a way of life.” Echoes Noora Al Foulathi, Head of Abu Dhabi Retail. “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.”
Beyond the cars, the event will also feature auctions of fine jewellery, and rare timepieces alongside exhibition of contemporary art, each curated to reflect the breadth of today’s collecting culture. The collaboration between RM Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s under one initiative will create a wellrounded and immersive experience for attendees.
As the UAE capital welcomes visitors from around the world, Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week is set to mark a milestone in the region’s luxury landscape. By merging the thrill of automotive innovation with the creativity of fine art and the beauty of high jewellery, the event will reinforce the city’s growing reputation as a destination that appreciates culture and technical excellence.