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Hermès Himalaya Guide
Often called the “Holy Grail of Handbags,” the Hermès Himalaya is a masterpiece of luxury, coveted for its breathtakingly rare beauty and unparalleled craftsmanship. Crafted from the finest Niloticus crocodile leather, it undergoes a meticulous dyeing process to mimic the delicate gradient of the Himalayan mountains, transitioning from smoky grey to pristine white. Available in both Birkin and Kelly styles, the Himalaya is sometimes adorned with precious metals and diamonds, making it one of the most sought-after and expensive handbags in the world. Its exclusivity and elegance make it a true collector’s piece.
Published on 17 Sep 2024 / Updated on 19 Feb 2025
Table of Contents
- Discover pre-owned Hermès bags, ready to shop
- How do I choose the right Hermès Himalaya bag?
- Hermès Himalaya bags in real life
- How do you recognise an authentic Himalaya?
- Sizing
- Stitching
- Material
- Colour
- Hardware
- Details
- What is the rarest Hermès Himalaya?
- What’s trending around Hermès bags
- Related topics
- FAQ
- Why is the Hermès Himalaya considered so rare?
- How can you buy an Hermès Himalaya bag?
- Does the Hermès Himalaya retain its value?
- Caring for your Himalaya bag
- Price of an Hermès Himalaya
- Discover other popular Hermès bag styles
- • The Himalaya is available in its iconic shade of grey and white.
- • The Himalaya comes primarily in Birkin 25, 30, and Kelly 28 sizes.
- • SACLÀB has sold 6 pre-loved Hermès Himalaya bags since 2018.
- • Prices generally range between €90,000 to €190,000 on the secondhand market, while some rare diamond-studded editions go for more than €450,000.
- • The highest-priced Himalaya SACLÀB ever sold was a Himalaya Birkin 30, which sold for €189,500.
- • As Himalaya bags are extremely exclusive and hard to find, keep your eyes on the SACLÀB website when another of these rarities becomes available.
- • Currently in stock is a beautiful Himalaya Kelly 28 for €78,620.
“The Hermès Himalaya is more than a bag; it’s the pinnacle of luxury, embodying the rarest craftsmanship and an aura of pure exclusivity.”
Discover pre-owned Hermès bags, ready to shop
How do I choose the right Hermès Himalaya bag?
Buying an Hermès Himalaya isn’t as simple as choosing a colour or leather; these exceptional bags are reserved for a fortunate few. Apart from selecting the style—Birkin or Kelly—and perhaps the size if you’re lucky, acquiring a Himalaya involves navigating Hermès’ exclusivity and limited availability. Here’s how to increase your chances of owning this rare gem:
- Establish a Relationship with Hermès: Build a purchase history and rapport with an Hermès sales associate. Regularly buying from the boutique and expressing interest in exclusive pieces increases your chances of being offered a Himalaya bag.
- Consider the Secondary Market: Since buying directly isn’t usually an option, your best chance would be to explore reputable resellers and auction houses where the Himalaya is sometimes available. Be prepared to pay a premium due to its rarity and demand.
- Verify Authenticity: Ensure you’re buying from a trusted source and check for authentication guarantees, as counterfeit versions are common. SACLÀB meticulously checks all bags to ensure they’re authentic and up-to-standard.
Hermès Himalaya bags in real life
While photos offer a glimpse, seeing an Hermès Himalaya in person is vital for making a well-informed decision, given its exclusivity and unique craftsmanship that can appear differently in various lighting or settings. To better understand how the Himalaya looks and feels, explore real-life examples on our SACLÀB Instagram page. You can also book a session with our virtual advisory service to examine every detail—from hardware to leather and overall size—ensuring you feel completely assured about your investment.
How do you recognise an authentic Himalaya?
Identifying an authentic Himalaya bag requires expert knowledge as it truly comes down to the details. A real Himalaya bag is meticulously dyed by an Hermès artisan and entirely crafted from exquisite Niloticus Crocodile hide, one of the most precious Hermès leathers. Due to the bag’s rarity and value, we advise you to buy exclusively from trusted resellers that specialize in collector’s items. At SACLÀB, we combine longstanding expertise with our strict authentication protocol–all bags available have passed our rigorous vetting process.
Sizing
Depending on whether you purchase a Himalaya Birkin or Kelly, the bag should match exact size specifications (e.g., a Birkin 30 measures 30 cm across the base, and an Hermès 28 measures 28 cm across the base). Any deviation from standard sizes may indicate a counterfeit.
Stitching
Hand-stitched using the signature Hermès saddle stitch, authentic Himalayas feature tight, slightly angled stitches, with no loose threads or uneven lines. Straight, perfectly machine-stitched threads indicate a fake.
Material
Himalaya bags are crafted from rare Niloticus Crocodile leather, known for its unique gradient that mimics the snow-capped Himalayas. The leather should have a subtle, distinct leather scent, not an overpowering smell of chemicals or plastic, or even an overpowering leather smell. Sourced from the Nile River in Zimbabwe, Niloticus Crocodile leather is marked by two dots next to the Hermès stamp.
Colour
Verify the signature Himalaya gradient, shading from a misty grey to a luminous white. The brighter the bag’s centrepiece, the harder it is for the house’s artisans to achieve this result–white is one of the most difficult shades to dye Crocodile skin, demanding masterful craftsmanship. Compare with other confirmed examples online.
Hardware
Check for heavy, smooth Hermès hardware with consistent colour and no ridges. Components like zippers and buckles should have smooth-topped rivets. Himalaya Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags are either topped with palladium or rare white-gold, diamond-encrusted hardware. Any other hardware finishes should raise concerns about the bag’s authenticity.
Details
When authenticating a Hermès Himalaya bag, it’s essential to pay attention to the branding and hallmark details that are characteristic of genuine Hermès craftsmanship. The embossed stamp, usually found under the front flap or on the strap, should read “Hermès Paris Made in France” with crisp, even, and well-proportioned letters.
The date stamp inside the bag, usually hidden behind the front strap or on the inner wall, reveals the production year with a letter code; Hermès transitioned from a letter-within-shape system to a single-letter code in 2015. An authentic Himalaya will never come with an authenticity card; instead, rely on these details to confirm its legitimacy.
“Each bag is meticulously handcrafted and dyed. The lighter the centre of the bag, the longer it takes Hermès artisans to achieve this result.”
What is the rarest Hermès Himalaya?
Already considered the pinnacle of exclusivity, the Himalaya bags are among the rarest and most sought-after Hermès bags. Within this category, the Himalaya Birkin 25, Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 with diamond hardware stand out as the rarest. Adorned with diamonds and 18-karat white gold, these bags are produced in extremely limited numbers each year, making them the ultimate symbol of luxury and rarity in the world of Hermès. On auction, Diamond Himalaya bags have achieved over HKD 4,000,000, equaling about €450,000.
What’s trending around Hermès bags
Related topics
FAQ
Why is the Hermès Himalaya considered so rare?
The Himalaya is crafted from Niloticus crocodile leather, an extremely expensive exotic hide. Dying the leather is a meticulous process, and the bag is produced in extremely limited quantities each year. Hermès is secretive about how many items are manufactured and sold—it is only ever offered to the house’s most loyal VIP clients.
How can you buy an Hermès Himalaya bag?
They are typically offered to top clients of Hermès or sporadically available through high-end resellers and auction houses. If you are looking for an Hermès Himalaya bag, our experts specialise in sourcing and can find your dream item. Simply contact us with your request.
Does the Hermès Himalaya retain its value?
Yes, due to their scarcity and exceptional craftsmanship, Hermès Himalaya bags usually appreciate over time, making them a valuable investment. However, the handbag’s value always depends on its condition and year of production—recent years usually score the highest prices on the secondary market.
Caring for your Himalaya bag
Hermès Himalaya bags, crafted from Niloticus crocodile, feature a gradient from darker to lighter shades that require careful maintenance to preserve their exquisite appearance. Protect your bag from water, humidity, and direct sunlight, as these can damage the unique finish, especially on glossy (lissé) versions. Store it in a cool, dry place in its dust cover, lightly stuffed to maintain its shape. Hand it in at a specialized Bag Spa for long-term care and refrain from at-home treatments or leather products. Exotic skins like Niloticus Crocodile leather need careful handling to avoid cracking and fading, and handles can be protected with Twillies to prevent darkening from natural oils.
Price of an Hermès Himalaya
The Hermès Birkin Himalaya bag is one of the most expensive handbags in the world, with prices ranging from €110,000 to over €450,000 on the secondary market, depending on factors like year, size, condition, and type of hardware. If you’re one of the lucky few who get offered to buy the exceptional piece with palladium hardware at an Hermès boutique, expect to pay around €50,000—kept in store-fresh condition, Himalaya Birkin or Kelly bags achieve a return on investment of more than 200%! The retail price for Himalaya bags with exclusive diamond-encrusted hardware is estimated at around $300,000 or €285,000.
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