The 5 most expensive Hermès Handbags + honourable mentions (2024)

In the world of high fashion and demand, few names command as much attention as Hermès. Beyond all the other strikes of this French luxury brand, their bags are by far the most coveted and celebrated.

From the iconic Hermès Birkin bag to the Kelly and the Constance, these bags are synonymous with luxury and prestige, commanding prices from a few thousand to over a million.

So, which are the most expensive Hermès handbags?

1. Hermès Rose Gold Kelly Bag: £1.5M+

The Hermès Rose Gold Kelly Bag is a true masterpiece and the most expensive Hermès bag ever sold. Crafted in collaboration with renowned shoe designer and jeweller Pierre Hardy, the bag is fashioned entirely from solid rose gold and adorned with an impressive 1,160 diamonds.

The rose gold is expertly designed to mimic the texture of crocodile leather, complete with functional flaps, justifying the two-year manufacturing process.

The $2 million price tag on this exclusive Hermès Kelly Bag, given its solid gold and diamond embellishments, doesn’t appear overly surprising. Limited to just 12 pieces ever made, it’s both exclusive and highly collectable.

2. Hermès Sac Bijou Birkin Bag: £1.5M+

In 2012, Hermès unveiled a stunning collection of handbag-inspired jewellery from the Haute Bijouterie Collection, including the Hermès Sac Bijou Birkin. Also designed by Pierre Hardy, this is the most expensive Birkin bag ever created by Hermès.

Priced at around $2 million, this Hermès bag is crafted from rose gold, inlaid with 2,712 diamonds. It’s also fully functional and designed to be worn as a bracelet. The top flap of the bag mimics the texture of crocodile skin, while diamonds adorn the bag’s body, top handles, clochette, touret and cadena lock.

With only three Sac Bijou Birkins in existence, these Hermès Birkin bags are a rarity.

3. Hermès Birkin Bag by Ginza Tanaka: £1.1M+

Next on our list is the remarkable creation by Japanese designer Ginza Tanaka – a true marvel in luxury fashion. As a limited edition, it’s one of the most expensive Hermès Birkin bags.

The bag’s body is crafted entirely from platinum, adorned with 2,000 shimmering diamonds that resemble glistening water droplets. Its strap features an 8-carat, pear-shaped diamond, detachable for wear as a necklace or bracelet, transforming the bag into a clutch.

Don’t hold your breath for a chance to own this Birkin; it fetched a staggering $1.4 million at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong.

4. Hermès Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin Bag: £239,000+

The Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin bag is made of the same material as this Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Kelly bag.

Another one of Hermès’s most expensive Birkin bags is the Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin. Crafted from Nile crocodile hide and dyed with white and taupe hues that draw inspiration from the Himalayan mountains, this ombré Birkin is incredibly rare.

Featuring palladium hardware and tonal stitching, the Hermès Diamond Himalaya Birkin is adorned with a diamond-embellished centre toggle closure, blending practicality with elegance.

Sold for a whopping $450,000 at Sotheby’s, this Himalayan Birkin bag’s estimated retail price is around $300,000.

5. Hermès Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag: £160,000+

Hermès certainly knows how to make attention-grabbing Birkin bags, and the Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin is no different. It’s crafted from rare and exotic Porosus crocodile skin dyed a deep ruby red that instantly catches the eye.

And if that doesn’t grab your attention, the 18-carat white gold hardware embellished with diamonds will. This intricate detailing elevates the bag to a whole new level of luxury.

As the only handbag of its kind, its exclusivity adds to its value with each passing sale, currently commanding a price of no less than $200,000.

Conclusion

Exclusive, timeless, and luxurious – three words that perfectly capture the essence of a Hermès handbag.

Having looked at five of the most expensive handbags from Hermès, we can’t help but leave you with a few honourable mentions.

There’s the Fuchsia Diamond-Studded Birkin Bag which lustres with a vibrant fuchsia base; the iconic Limited Edition Metallic Birkin Bag, which came in silver, gold, and bronze; and the Sac Birkin Faubourg, the first Birkin ever with 20cm base – it may not be the most expensive handbag but is certainly one of the most coveted Hermès bags.