Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week is set to launch in the emirate this December, Sotherby's has announced today.
A collaboration between Sotheby’s and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the initiative is aimed at the region’s collectors and an international clientele.
Notably, this marks the first Sotheby’s sale in the capital. Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s luxury division, explains why the timing matters. “First, Abu Dhabi is experiencing huge momentum as a cultural and luxury hub, with the Louvre already established and the Saadiyat Island cultural district set to open major museums in 2025 and 2026. It feels like the right moment to be here, at the heart of this growth. The second is from a business perspective – we’re seeing rising engagement from Middle Eastern collectors in our global auctions, making this a natural meeting point of opportunity for both the region and Sotheby’s.”
Having staged the first RM Sotheby’s property sale in Dubai in 2025, which Pullan describes as “remarkable success", the company believes the groundwork has been laid for the next step. He cites the Beyond: The World’s Rarest Diamond exhibition, held in April on Saadiyat Island, which featured more than $100 million worth of diamonds in a single room. Among them was the Mediterranean Blue diamond, later sold in Geneva for $21.5 million. The event, Pullan says, was “extremely well received” and a “strong signal of the appetite here".
With a showroom in Dubai since 2017, the 281-year-old auction house is now set to deepen its commitment to the UAE capital. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week will be held at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, with a curated programme of events culminating in a flagship auction.
Timed to coincide with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking place from December 4 to 7, the event is designed to give those considering the sale another reason to stay. “It’s a great way to have our global clients come and experience more than just the auctions, so that it exposes our very best clients to Abu Dhabi and everything it has to offer,” Pullan explains. With the auction scheduled for practice night on December 5, “we want to make sure it’s close enough, but not conflicting, and easy for people to navigate both".
In October, Sotheby’s will also stage an online NBA sale to coincide with the league’s games in Abu Dhabi. “Over the past five years, bidders from the UAE have grown by 24 per cent and buyers by 25 per cent. Last year alone, 38 per cent were new to Sotheby’s and 39 per cent were under 40. It’s a young, dynamic, affluent audience,” Pullan says.
As for what will be on offer in December, Sotheby’s has offered a preview – from rare supercars to diamonds. A 2010 Aston Martin One-77, one of only 77 ever built, will feature with an estimated price of $1.3 to $1.6 million. Also on sale is a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Riviera, expected to fetch $9.5 to $10.5 million. Another highlight will be a single-owner private collection of watches and jewellery valued at more than $20 million, regarded as one of the most significant to reach the market in decades. Among its treasures are a rare Rolex Oyster Albino Daytona ref 6263 and The Desert Rose, the largest fancy vivid orangey-pink diamond ever graded. Fancy diamonds are gems that exhibit colour beyond the Z range in the GIA industry’s D-to-Z colour-grading scale.
There is a simple reason such rarities are being brought to Abu Dhabi rather than the auction house's more traditional venues of London, New York or Geneva. “The sentiment here is optimistic, growth-oriented and very different to other parts of the world right now. The data supports that too – bidding engagement and buying are all on the rise,” says Pullan.
“In December, we expect a mix of global, regional and local participation. Success will be measured not just by sales, but by storytelling, education and engagement –positioning Abu Dhabi as a major new stage for Sotheby’s auctions.”
This announcement comes only months after ADQ, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, invested $1 billion in Sotheby’s.
The UAE is no stranger to significant real estate and luxury goods sales, but what sets this apart?
“The curation,” Pullan explains. “These are pieces you can’t just walk into a boutique and buy; they’re unique or ultra rare, often one-of-a-kind, often with extraordinary provenance. That level of exclusivity is what sets the sale apart. Our ambition is not to stage a 300-lot auction, but to curate only the very best. This allows us to focus on the client experience. It’s a different path from our more traditional sales, designed to do something truly different and memorable.”
The event is the first sale in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. Of the collaboration, Pullan says, “The ADIO network of contacts in Abu Dhabi and beyond makes them the perfect partners for this week. Abu Dhabi is really going to make it all possible and bring this to life. So it all feels very organic and something we feel really confident about.”
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Storage: 128/256/512GB
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
