Owing a Hermes bag is a luxury reserved for the few who are worthy of the honor or those who can actually afford it. David Oancea bought a Hermes bag for the thrill of owning one because he wanted to break the record of owning the most costly bag in the world. On the other hand, Jamie Chua keeps buying Hermes bags because he does not want to be surpassed as the person with the largest collection of Hermes Birkin bags. The bags are so expensive because few are produced, and their value appreciates at a rate of 14% per year. Here’s a look at the five most expensive Hermes bags of all time.
1. Himalaya Birkin Sold in 2019 for $500,000
There is a thing about having money; once you have it, all you want is fame and power, and that is what David Oancea seeks. He is always looking to set a record. Therefore, he sold a one-of-a-kind rookie card signed by Mike Trout for $3.9 million in an online auction, making Trout the most expensive trading card ever sold. You can expect a person known for his gambling prowess always to want to be ahead of everyone; hence, the thrill of breaking records pushes Oancea to raise the bar. You should, therefore, not be surprised that he bought the Himalaya Birkin for $500,000. Unlike most of the sales that happen in an auction, the Birkin sale occurred on social media after Oancea said he was looking for a bag. A lady messaged him, informing Oancea she had the most expensive handbag in the world, and that was all it took for the man to make a deal that was completed within four days.
2. Himalaya Kelly Sold in 2020 for $437,330
On November 27, 2020, another Hermes went down in history as the most expensive bag sold in an auction where it fetched an eye-popping $437,330. The Himalaya Kelly is dubbed the rarest bag worldwide and gets its name from Princess Kelly of Monaco. It makes up part of the Holy Grail of Hermes bags and the Birkin and Constance, with the Birkin always stealing the show. Still, the auctioneers were surprised that the pandemic had not affected the collectors’ enthusiasm for buying expensive bags. The Himalaya Kelly bags are described as both a work of art and heirloom; hence always go for prices showcasing their rarity. That being said, one of the most expensive bags in the world is a Himalaya Kelly which is worth $2 million. Only 12 pieces of this specific bag were ever created. Although it is not made from crocodile skin, it was crafted to resemble one and embellished with 1,160 diamonds hence the hefty price tag.
3. Himalaya Birkin Sold in 2017 for $383, 000
Different sources have varied amounts the bag sold for, but they all range between $377,000 and $384,000; maybe the difference is from the conversion rates used. The bottom line is the bag became the most expensive bag ever sold after being auctioned in Hong Kong in 2017. As we had mentioned, Hermes bags appreciate; this particular bag was a 2014 production that had earned its top position in the world of handbags. According to Business Insider Africa, it had been anticipated to sell for between £149,431 and £199, 241 but an anonymous buyer was ready to pay £292,994 for it. Besides the accessories that include a ribbon, leather pouch, Clochette, two dustbags, two boxes, and a lock and keys that probably drive the price high, its crafting made it worth much more. The matte white Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin with white-gold and diamond-encrusted buckle and hardware was bid for over the phone by the anonymous buyer who was not Asian. The bag remains a favorite for Hermes bag lovers.
4. Himalaya Birkin Sold in 2016 for $300,168
According to Christie’s, on May 30, 2016, the Hermes Himalaya Birkin became the most expensive bag ever sold at an auction where the bid that won was $300,168. Matt Rubinger explained that it was among the most valuable pieces in the Hermes collection because of the 245 diamond detailing. When combined with the gold, it is easy to see why someone was willing to part with that much money to own a bag. The bag also went on record as the most expensive Birkin bag. Usually, Birkin bags are handmade, and it can take 48 hours to complete one. The matte white Himalaya bag had been predicted to fetch between $190,000 and $260,000 after being dubbed the most valuable bag globally; therefore, the $300,168 though incredibly high, was worth it. You would expect that it took a while before reaching the price, but according to The New York Times, it took only four minutes for the hammer to drop.
5. Hermes Porosus Crocodile Sold for $298,000
According to Preview, the bag was sold to an anonymous buyer, although details of the year it was sold are not disclosed. It was sold in Prive Porter, which prides itself as the largest curator of unused Hermes Birkin bags globally. Prive Porter is the retailer behind the bag sold to David Oancea for $500,000, an amount that was three times more than what it retails at Hermes. The online store has become so successful in retailing Hermes bags that it opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in upscale Miami in 2020. Usually, their prices range between $15,000 and $250,000 depending on which style is on display. It has garnered celebrity clients, including Kris Jenner, Paris Hilton, Cardi B, and more, who do not mind spending a few thousand dollars on a bag. The Hermes bag breaks its record each year, and once there is another auction held this year, you can rest assured that a new record will go down in history for the most expensive bag ever sold.
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