Hermès Birkin 35 Himalayan Matte Niloticus Crocodile Palladium Hardware

Hermès Birkin 35 Himalayan Matte Niloticus Crocodile Palladium Hardware

The Hermès Birkin 35 "Himalaya" is widely regarded as the apex of handbag collecting. The name does not refer to the origin of the leather, but to the delicate gradation of color. Crafted from **Matte Niloticus Crocodile** (*Crocodylus niloticus*), the skin is dyed to transition from a smoky grey-brown at the edges (evoking the rocky mountainside) to a pearlescent white at the center (representing the snow-capped peak). Achieving this gradient is technically demanding; the natural dark pigment of the crocodile skin must be lightened with extreme precision, a process that takes significantly longer than standard dyeing.

This example is a **35cm** model, a size that requires a particularly large and pristine crocodile hide to ensure the gradient is displayed without interruption across the front panel. The matte finish offers a soft, chalky hand-feel that is distinct from the glossy "Lisse" finish. Paired with **Palladium Hardware**, the cool silver tones complement the icy aesthetic of the bag. The interior is lined in **Gris Cendre Chèvre**, a light ash-grey goat leather that matches the exterior's darker tones. Produced in **2015 (Stamp T)**, this bag remains in pristine condition.

• Condition: 1 – Pristine
• Stamp: 2015, T
• Color: Himalaya (Blanc / Gris)
• Material: Matte Niloticus Crocodile
• Hardware: Palladium
• Dimensions: 35 × 25 × 18 cm | 13.8" W x 9.8" H x 7" D

JaneFinds Collector’s Insight:
While the Himalayan Birkin is famous in any size, the 35cm variant is particularly impressive due to the sheer scale of the white center panel. It was the preferred size of early celebrity collectors who popularized the bag. Because Hermès has shifted production focus toward smaller bags (25cm) in recent years, pristine 35cm Himalayas have become increasingly difficult to source.

JaneFinds Market Insight:
The Himalayan Birkin is an "index" asset in the luxury market—its value is tracked like gold or fine art. It consistently sets auction records. The 35cm size appeals to a specific collector who values the original, impactful silhouette over the current trend for mini bags. As a discontinued or heavily restricted size for exotics, its rarity profile is distinct from the more common 25cm Himalaya.

👜 JaneFinds Condition Guide
📅 Hermès Date Stamp Reference
⛓️ Accessory Chains
📐 Hermès Size Guide