Auction house Sotheby’s will hold its inaugural Saudi Arabia auction on the 8 February 2025.
Titled ‘Origins’, the two-part evening event is set against a backdrop of Diriyah – fittingly home to the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, and considered the ancestral heart of the nation.
The sale spotlights 100 rare and covetable lots, celebrating horological masterpieces alongside fine art by both lauded native artists and leading figures in international art history, plus museum-worthy sports memorabilia, handbags, jewelry, cars and more.
Discerning watch collectors are set to be impressed with a selection of timepieces by Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Rolex – the top lot being a Richard Mille prototype made especially for World Champion sprinter Yohan Blake, estimated to sell for $1,500,000. This piece of history was worn as he ran the 100m final at London’s 2012 Olympics, earning him the nickname of the second fastest man on earth.
Another standout is a Unique Commissioned Cartier Crash (estimate: $130,000 –
260,000), one of the most sought-after styles by the king of jewelers, produced in ineffably small quantities and only in special years – 1991, 2019, and 2022. This timepiece in particular is marked 1 of 1 and was created exclusively in 2007 for a top private client of the Maison.
Elsewhere in the lot, Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey worn during the NBA Playoffs ‘The Last Dance’ game in 1998 is set to fetch up to $1,200,000, as well as a number of football jerseys worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, including his home Portugal National team shirt worn in the 2024 UEFA European Championships Quarterfinal Match (estimate: $50,000 – 70,000).
In terms of artwork, the auction spans Western art history, including important works of Impressionism, Surrealism and Modern art by René Magritte, Pablo Picasso and Henri Martin, through to contemporary work by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder and Damien Hirst.
Marking Sotheby’s recent incorporation in Saudi Arabia and the opening of its Riyadh office in the iconic Al Faisaliah Tower, this event underscores the auction house’s long-term commitment to the region.
Appealing to both new and seasoned collectors, the auction will follow a public exhibition that previews the contents of ‘Origins’.
This coincides with Diriyah Season, the annual themed festival that brings the cultural heritage of the region to life through a series of exciting events and experiences.
The free public exhibition is will be held at the Bujairi Terrace from 1–8 February, and is open daily.