The Most Sought After Birkin: The Birkin 25
First introduced in 2004, the Birkin 25 is now the most popular Birkin bag.
History of the Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag story began in 1984 when actress and singer Jane Birkin met Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. During their conversation, Birkin expressed her need for a functional yet stylish bag, which led to the creation of the now-famous Original Jane Birkin bag. Jane's original Birkin bag was black with gold hardware and the same width is the current Birkin 35 but had the depth of the Birkin 40.
The Birkin bag's innovative design at the time is in most ways unchanged today. It features two rolled handles, a flap top, clou “feet,” and a lock closure. This practical and elegant design has continued to capture the hearts of Hermès collectors and luxury bag lovers around the world. The Birkin is meticulously crafted by expert trained artisans who spend a minimum of 18 hours on each piece. A single artisan creates and assembles the entire bag versus more modern assembly line manufacturing. Each Birkin bag carries a unique code indicating the year it was made, the workshop where it was crafted, and the artisan responsible for its creation.
Acquiring a Birkin directly from Hermès is no easy feat. Customers must have a purchase history with the brand, and boutiques are only allowed to order a limited number of Birkins twice a year. Moreover, the styles of Birkin bags received by the boutiques are often a surprise, making it difficult for customers to secure their desired bag. This exclusivity adds to the allure of the Hermès Birkin bag. The Birkin bag was $2,000 in 1984 when it was first produced but now retails for $12,100 for a Birkin 25 in Togo leather. All Birkins have one interior side pocket and the rest of the bag is a single compartment. The bottom base holds it shape and doesn't buckle even after years of use. The popularity of the Birkin bag continues to grow with over 1 million monthly searches for the bag.
Size of Birkin 25
The Birkin 25 is the smallest standard Birkin and measures 25 cm across the top. The overall size of the Birkin 25 is 20 cm tall, 25 cm wide and 13 cm deep with a 6.35 cm handle drop or 2.5 inches. While this is the smallest Birkin and some may refer to it as the Baby Birkin, it is still large enough to hold all of our essentials but not large enough for a standard laptop. The best way to carry the bag is the top handles but if your hands are small you can also carry it over the wrist like a larger Birkin. If you want to carry the bag comfortably over your wrist to have your hands free, it may make sense to try it out before you purchase since the handle drop is less than the larger Birkin bags.
Most Popular Birkin: Birkin 25
While it was initially made in a larger 40 cm size, the Birkin 35 was initially the most popular size. The Birkin 25 was first released in 2004 following a growing trend for smaller bags as the smart phone replaced multiple items that were traditionally carried in a Birkin. While it took some time for this new Baby Birkin size to gain in popularity, the Birkin 25 is now the most sought after size. There are twice as many monthly searches for the Birkin 25 than the Birkin 30, the next most popular size. Overall prices for the leather Birkin 25 bags at range from $20,000 to $40,000 while a leather Birkin 30 tends to sell from $10,000 to $30,000. This premium is a result of greater demand for the Birkin 25 and fewer available bags. Sotheby's has sold about 250 leather Birkin 25 bags versus over 350 leather Birkin 30 bags.
Leather Birkin 25 Variations
The Birkin 25 comes in the same standard leather, hardware and exotic materials as the larger Birkin sizes. It is also available in the traditional Retourne style with the stitching inside and the more structured Sellier style. Togo leather is one of the most popular leathers for a Birkin 25 and buyers are often looking for neutral colors like Black, Etoupe, Gold, or whites including Craie or Beton. Pastel colors are also popular with collectors and newly released pastel colors often sell at a significant premium when they first become available on the secondary market. A bright colored leather Birkin 25 is less popular and can often be found for a lower price on the secondary market. Most common hardware options are gold and palladium but more limited rose gold hardware is also popular.
Exotic Birkin 25
The Birkin 25 comes in exotic materials such as ostrich, lizard, crocodile, and alligator skins, available in glossy or matte finishes. The most popular exotic Birkin 25 now is a Matte finish Alligator or Crocodile in a neutral color or pale pastel color. Crocodile and alligator Birkin 25 bags tend to sell for between $30,000 to $75,000 on the secondary market. The large price variation is due to widely varying demand for some colors and also the decline in price for older bags that are no longer pristine. Ostrich tends to be the least popular exotic bag and both ostrich and lizard Birkin 25 bags are less expensive than crocodile or alligator. Ostrich Birkin 25 bags sell between $20,000 to $40,000 while lizard Birkin 25 bags sell for between $25,000 to $50,000 on the secondary market.
Limited Edition Birkin 25
Like larger Birkins, Hermès also creates limited edition Birkin 25 styles. Below are details on recent popular limited edition Birkin 25 models.
Limited Edition Birkin 25 Picnic
Hermès released the Birkin 25 Picnic in 2022 and follows on the success of the Mini Kelly Picnic. The Birkin Picnic is made from Osier Wicker and Swift leather and requires two master craftspeople to make a bag. An expert basket weaver is needed to make the base of the bag and reportedly takes 10 hours to complete. A separate leather expert completes the bag. The retail price for the Birkin 25 Picnic is around $24,000 and resells for around $45,000 to $65,000 depending in the color and condition. While the long term popularity of the Birkin 25 Picnic is still unclear, it's unique design has been well received by collectors. It could become a popular alternative to the Mini Kelly Picnic.
Limited Edition Birkin 25 Shadow
The Birkin 25 Shadow was first released in 2021. The original larger Birkin 35 Shadow was released in 2009 and designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. The Birkin 25 Shadow retails for about $15,000 and resells for $40,000 to $55,000. The Limited Edition Birkin 25 Shadow is unique with its raised impression of the traditional Birkin flap and sangles.
Limited Edition Birkin 25 Cargo
The Limited Edition Birkin 25 Cargo was released in 2022 following the release of the larger Birkin 35 Cargo in 2021. The Birkin 25 Cargo retails for about $18,000 and resells for between $35,000 to $45,000. This Limited Edition Birkn was inspired by military clothing. The Cargo Birkin is made in canvas with Swift leather and has several exterior pockets making it both sporty and casual. While the large Birkin 35 and Birkin 40 HAC have a removable cup holder, the smaller Birkin 25 Cargo does not have this feature.
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Most Expensive Leather Birkin 25
The most expensive leather Birkin 25 to sell at auction is the 2005 Metallic Silver and Bronze Chevre Birkin 25 for just over $139,0000 by Sotheby's in Hong Kong in April 2022. Metallic Birkins are very rare since these were only made in 2004 and 2005 in celebration of the Athens Olympics. While a few silver Birkin 25 bags have sold on the resale market, including the 2004 Metallic Silver Birkin 25 Sotheby's sold for $126,000 in Decemeber 2021, the two tone metallic Birkin 25 with contrast bronze piping was even rarer.
Birkin Bag Price
How much is a Birkin bag depends on many factors. On a relative basis the Birkin 25 is generally more expensive than the a larger Birkin in the secondary market. A store fresh leather Birkin 25 sells for between $25,000-$30,000 depending on the color and year. A newer bag in a new Hermès neutral or pastel color generally sells at the highest price. Bright colored leather bags that are older tend to sell at lower prices. Ostrich is generally the least popular of the exotic materials while Matte Porosus Crocodile and Matte Alligator sell for the highest premium depending on the color.
Birkin 25 Auction Prices
Auction prices for leather Birkin 25 bags has remained largely unchanged with some softness late in 2024. We anticipate weaker prices late in 2024 could correct itself in 2025 with a better global economic outlook. The chart for leather Birkin 25 bags excludes limited edition bags. The most expensive leather Birkin 25 bags in 2024 were Mauve Sylvestre Swift, Black Togo and Neutral Tri-color Epsom. Prices for crocodile and alligator Birkin 25 bags remained reasonably stable in 2024. The most expensive Alligator Birkin 25 in 2024 was a Vert D'Eau Matte Alligator Birkin 25 and it sold for about $79,000, The least expensive Crocodile Birkin 25 in 2024 sold for about $33,000 but was more than 20 years old and was bright hued Orange H.
How Much is a Hermès Birkin 25?
The price of a Hermès Birkin 25 varies significantly based on material, color, condition, and market demand. In U.S. boutiques, a Birkin 25 in Togo leather retails at $12,100, while in Europe, it retails for €8,950. Exotic variations, such as the Matte Crocodile Birkin 25, command a much higher retail price of $55,000. However, due to Hermès’ exclusivity and limited availability, these coveted bags often sell for significantly higher prices on the secondary market. A store-fresh leather Birkin 25 typically ranges from $25,000 to $30,000, with rare colors and recent releases fetching an even greater premium. Exotic versions, including crocodile and alligator, generally start at $30,000 and can surpass $75,000, while limited-edition and highly sought-after designs have been known to reach six figures at auction.
Market trends also influence the price of a Birkin 25. Neutral and pastel-colored leather bags tend to fetch higher prices, while bright-colored bags often sell for less. Auction results from recent years indicate that demand for the Birkin 25 remains strong, with some of the most expensive sales including a Metallic Silver and Bronze Chevre Birkin 25 that sold for over $139,000. Despite fluctuations in the luxury market, the Birkin 25 continues to hold its value, remaining a highly desired item for collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Advantages to Buying Hermès Birkin on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Birkin bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Birkin bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Birkin bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Birkin bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès Birkin bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Birkin bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Birkin bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Birkin bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Birkin bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Birkin Bag at an Hermès boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Birkin that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Birkin bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Birkin.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Birkins or rare limited edition Birkin bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Birkin bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buy and Sell Hermès Birkin Bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès Birkin bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware.
Prices for Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 at the low end for the Herbag, Garden Party and Evelyne TPM. Prices for the most sought after Birkin and Kelly bags start at around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for the rarest and most desirable limited edition Birkin or Kelly bags.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès bag or submit your item here for valuation.
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