Hermès is known as one of the three major brands in the world.
Hermès is a super-brand that nobody is unaware of. The Birkin is one of the most coveted items in the Hermès lineup.
This article will explain the charm of the Birkin and the most valuable Birkin.
If you are thinking of purchasing a Hermes Birkin in the future, please refer to this article.
1. The charm of Birkin from the viewpoint of the history of Hermes
The brand "Hermes" was born in Paris in 1937, and initially started as a harness merchant.
The brand became a topic of conversation through in-house production of scarves, and in 1947, the perfume department, as well as bags, wallets, and apparel, became successful in a wide range of fields.
Although Hermès has created various bags, the Birkin was actually introduced in 1984, a relatively new series.
Birkin began when "Jane Birkin," an English actress based in Paris at the time, met "Jean-Louis Dumas," then president of Hermès, on an airplane flight.
When Jean-Louis Dumas saw her storing her overflowing luggage in a basket, he proposed, "I would like to give you a bag that can hold all your belongings."
This interaction led to the creation of the Birkin as we know it today.
In addition to its lean and sophisticated design, the Birkin, with its emphasis on functionality, quickly became a huge hit.
The Birkin is still the favorite bag of celebrities around the world, including Victoria Beckham, Miranda Kerr, and Jennifer Lopez, and remains a representative bag of Hermès.
2. The Birkin is an Asset to be Worn
The reason why the Birkin is the object of admiration of women all over the world is not only because of the wonderful episodes and celebrity status.
The Birkin is, after all, an item of such high asset value that it is even referred to as "an asset to be worn."
Although it is just a bag, it is sold in the market at a price range of over 1 million yen, and some Birkin are even sold at over 5 million yen, which is considered to be an ultra-luxury item.
The Birkin itself is not a mass-produced bag, but is handmade by Hermès artisans, so the number of bags that can be manufactured is limited.
It is extremely difficult to purchase a new Birkin at a regular price, and even for second-hand bags, it is difficult to obtain Birkins from popular series.
The balance between supply and demand has been widening over the years, and the price of Birkin continues to rise.
In the reuse market, the Birkin is said to be the most in-demand brand bag, and it is truly an "asset to be worn".
3. Most Valuable Birkin Bags in History
Next, we will introduce you to the most valuable series of Hermes Birkin bags.
If you want to know which Birkin is worth more, please check out the following paragraphs.
3-1.The Himalaya Birkin
Sold for HK$3 million ($388,738) at Christie's in Hong Kong in November 2020.
The Himalaya Birkin is considered the most valuable Hermès Birkin in history. It is known as the finest Birkin ever made, made of selected crocodiles from the Nile River Valley.
It is said to have originated from "Vert Celadon Natura," which was produced in the Kelly Bag Line, and is called the rarest and most valuable Birkin in the world due to the small number of pieces produced.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is the "King of Birkin," which it is said that you are lucky to come across once in your lifetime.
David Oancea, the famous Birkin collector, is said to have purchased a Himalayan Birkin for $500,000.
3-2. The Faubourg Birkin
Sold at Christie's in London for £225,000 ($305,100) in November 2021.
The Faubourg Birkin was inspired by Hermès' Faubourg Saint-Honoré store, located in the Paris flagship store.
The Faubourg Saint-Honoré is the first Hermès store and is known as a sacred place that every Hermès fan should visit at least once.
The Faubourg Birkin lineup consists mainly of day and night versions, and is popular for its lovely, miniature, pop design.
The Birkin is full of playfulness, using five different kinds of leather, which is typical of Hermes.
Incidentally, the White Beton Faubourg Série, released in 2021, was sold at auction later that year at twice the expected price.
3-3. The Diamond Birkin
Sold at Christie's in Hong Kong for HK$2.25 million ($289,948) in November 2021.
The Birkin itself is a sparkling jewel, but the Diamond Birkin is known as the finest diamond-encrusted Birkin in the world.
The elegant visuals are made generously of the finest material known as crocodile porosus.
In addition, the bag is adorned with a total of 105 diamonds of 4.12 ct. in size, making it the most prestigious Birkin with a value that exceeds that of a jewel.
The iconic Hermès cadenas are also set with over 40 diamonds of 1.40 ct.
Moreover, white gold is also used, and a certificate of guarantee issued by Hermes is included, making this Birkin the ultimate in luxury.
The Black Diamond Birkin 25 sold for approximately $240,187 in 2017.
3-4.Limited Edition and Custom Niloticus Crocodile Birkins
Sold for HK$1,630,000 (approximately $207,025) at Christie's in Hong Kong in May 2019.
The Limited Edition and Custom Niloticus Crocodile Birkins are crafted from rare and highly valued alligator leather.
There are four major types of exotic leather used by Hermès, but Niloticus is known as the finest, made from Nile River crocodile.
Its delicate scales, soft and delicate texture, and the more you use it, the more it blends in, and it will make you think of an advanced Birkin.
Among them, the limited edition custom is a hard-to-find item and traded at a much higher price.
In 2015, a separately ordered Tricolor Birkin sold for approximately $144,480.
3-5.The Alligator Birkin
Sold at Christie's in Hong Kong for HK$1,130,000 (approximately $145,125) in November 2020.
The Alligator Birkin is rare and made of alligator, Hermes' specialty exotic leather.
Hermes often uses alligators from the Mississippi River in the United States, and its matte and moist texture creates a fine feel.
Since it is mainly used for bags, this material is relatively standard among Birkin.
The simplicity and variety of colors make it attractive, and its versatility in being suitable for a wide range of situations, from dressy to casual, is a key selling point.
Incidentally, the limited edition Matte Sew Black 35 and Matte Vert D'Eau 25 Birkin gained popularity in 2020.
3-6.The Ombré Birkin
Sold for $137,500 at Sotheby's in New York in March 2020.
The Ombré Birkin has captivated Birkin fans around the world with its originality and alluring visuals.
Ombré, which means "shadow," combines exoticism and elegance thanks to its use of lizard material.
One of the characteristics of Hermès' exotic leather is that no two pieces are alike.
The Ombré Birkin also has a beautiful pattern, each of which is unique in the world.
The Ombré Birkin can be used in a wide range of situations, from casual to dress, making it a must-have item for Birkin fans.
3-7.The Metallic Birkin
Sold at Sotheby's in New York for $126,000 in December 2021.
The Metallic Birkin is a luminous, limited edition Birkin that was introduced as a tribute to the Faubourg Store.
The shimmering visual is boldly made of chevre leather and comes with silver or bronze fittings.
The value is so high that in 2017, the bronze version sold for approximately $117,000, according to news reports.
3-8.The Grand Marriage Birkin
Sold for HK$812,500 ( approximately $104,812) at Christie's in Hong Kong in December 2015.
The Grand Marriage Birkin is a luxurious Birkin made of three of Hermès' most exotic leathers: alligator, ostrich, and lizard.
The Grand Marriage Birkin continues to attract celebrities from all over the world with its beautiful and rare coloring, as well as the unique texture of leather.
Conclusion
The world of Birkin is admired by celebrities and women all over the world.
Birkin itself has a high value, but among them, rare and limited items are especially popular.
With material prices expected to rise in the future, the value of the Birkin is sure to continue to rise.
Please use this article to understand the high value of the Birkin and use it to your advantage in the future.
