Holy Grails: Our top 10 Rarest Leica M picks
There are collectible cameras, and then there are Leicas that exist in an entirely different universe.
These are cameras that rarely appear in public, change hands quietly between serious collectors, or emerge at auction only once in a generation. Some commemorate historic anniversaries. Others were commissioned by royalty, designed by world-famous industrial designers, or built in production runs so small they seem almost mythical.
Unlike many luxury collectibles, these cameras were born from Leica's philosophy that the camera should disappear, allowing the photographer to see rather than simply operate a machine. The irony is that these special editions have become some of the most coveted objects in photography.
Here are ten of the rarest Leica M cameras ever produced—and the fascinating people fortunate enough to own them.
1. Leica M for (RED) (2013)
Quantity: One
Perhaps no Leica M better represents the intersection of photography, industrial design, and philanthropy.
Created by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson, this singular Leica M took over 2,000 hours of development and featured a body machined from solid aluminum with more than 20,000 individually milled dimples.
It wasn't simply another special finish—it was a complete redesign.
At Sotheby's in 2013, it sold for nearly $1.8 million, making it one of the most expensive cameras ever sold.
Known Owner
Jony Ive (creator before auction)
Purchased by an anonymous collector at Sotheby's. The buyer has never been publicly identified.
Why It Matters
This isn't merely a Leica.
It's a one-of-one industrial design sculpture that just happens to take photographs.
2. Leica MP Grey Hammertone LHSA (2003)
Quantity: 1,400
While 1,400 may sound plentiful, among Leica collectors this remains one of the most sought-after mechanical M cameras ever built.
Commissioned by the Leica Historical Society of America, the grey hammertone finish recalls Leica's scientific cameras of the 1960s. Its beautifully textured paint ages gracefully, acquiring brass highlights much like vintage black-paint M3s.
Known Owners
Thorsten Overgaard
Numerous prominent Leica collectors within the LHSA community.
About the Owners
Overgaard has spent decades documenting Leica technique and philosophy, becoming one of the best-known Leica educators worldwide.
3. Leica M9 Titanium by Walter de Silva
Quantity: 500
Automotive designer Walter de Silva approached Leica the way he approached an Audi or Alfa Romeo.
The result wasn't flashy.
Instead, every line became cleaner, every control was subtly redesigned, and the camera gained titanium top and bottom plates alongside a matching Summilux 35mm lens.
Today it remains one of the most elegant modern M cameras ever produced.
Known Owners
Walter de Silva
Numerous European industrial-design collectors.
Owner Background
De Silva is responsible for iconic designs from Audi, Volkswagen and Alfa Romeo. His Leica reflects the same restrained philosophy that made him one of Europe's greatest automotive designers.
4. Leica M Edition 70
Quantity: 250
Produced to celebrate seventy years of the Leica M system, this platinum-finished mechanical masterpiece includes an M-A body, APO-Summicron-M 50mm and Leicavit, all housed in a luxurious presentation case.
Known Owners
Mostly private collectors worldwide.
Several examples have already appeared at major Leica auctions, demonstrating how quickly these modern editions appreciate in value.
5. Leica M6 Sultan of Brunei Platinum Edition
Estimated Quantity: Approximately 250–350
Almost nothing about this camera was intended for the public.
Commissioned for the Sultan of Brunei's Silver Jubilee, these platinum-plated cameras were presented only to royalty, diplomats and distinguished guests.
Most remain hidden in private collections.
Known Owner
Hassanal Bolkiah (commissioned the edition)
Recipients were never officially published, making provenance one of the greatest mysteries in Leica collecting. Community research suggests they were presented as diplomatic gifts rather than sold commercially.
Background
The Sultan is renowned as one of the world's greatest collectors of luxury automobiles, art and bespoke objects.
6. Leica M6 Millennium
Quantity: 2,000
Released to celebrate the year 2000, the Millennium edition featured a distinctive black paint finish, classic Leica script and matching Summilux lens.
Unlike many commemorative cameras, this one has become genuinely desirable because it remains exceptionally usable.
Many collectors still shoot theirs regularly.
Known Owners
Seal has been photographed using Leica M cameras.
Numerous working Leica photographers.
7. Leica M60 – 60 Years of Leica M
Quantity: 600
Perhaps the boldest digital Leica ever built.
No rear LCD.
No image review.
No distractions.
The M60 forced photographers back into trusting exposure, timing and instinct.
It remains one of Leica's purest philosophical statements.
Known Owners
Lenny Kravitz
Numerous Leica ambassadors.
Background
Kravitz has long collected vintage cameras and has developed a reputation as a serious Leica enthusiast rather than a celebrity collector.
8. Leica M-P "Correspondent" by Lenny Kravitz
Quantity: 125
Designed to resemble a heavily worn photojournalist's camera from the 1960s, every detail was intentionally distressed.
Normally collectors chase perfect condition.
This Leica was born looking beautifully used.
Known Owner
Lenny Kravitz
Background
Beyond music, Kravitz is an accomplished photographer whose design tastes strongly favor vintage craftsmanship.
9. Leica M6 Platinum LHSA Edition
Quantity: 125
Produced exclusively for the Leica Historical Society of America, this luxurious platinum edition ranks among the rarest M6 variants ever commissioned.
Many examples remain in original presentation boxes decades later.
Known Owners
Senior LHSA collectors and longtime Leica historians.
Unlike celebrity-owned Leicas, these cameras usually stay within specialist collections and are rarely offered publicly.
10. Leica M3 Olive "Bundeseigentum" Prototype
Although technically predating many commemorative editions, surviving olive military M3 cameras have become legendary among Leica historians.
Originally supplied for government use, very few remain in original condition.
They represent the bridge between Leica's precision engineering heritage and the modern collector market.
Known Owners
Lars Netopil
Several important European Leica museums and private collections.
The Collectors Behind the Cameras
What makes Leica collecting unique is that ownership often says as much about the collector as it does about the camera.
Unlike many luxury collectibles that remain locked away, Leica owners are frequently photographers first and collectors second. Industrial designers like Jony Ive admire Leica's uncompromising simplicity. Musicians such as Lenny Kravitz value the tactile, mechanical experience of shooting film. Historians within the Leica Historical Society preserve cameras not merely as investments but as milestones in photographic history. Royal commissions, such as the Sultan of Brunei editions, reveal how Leica's craftsmanship has appealed to heads of state and cultural figures alike.
Perhaps that's why these cameras command such fascination. Their rarity isn't measured only by production numbers, but by the stories they carry—from bespoke royal gifts and charity auctions to collaborations with some of the world's most influential designers. They embody Leica's enduring belief that a camera can be both a precision instrument and an object of lasting cultural significance.
In the end, the rarest Leica M cameras aren't simply expensive collectibles. They are milestones in photographic history—machines that reflect craftsmanship, design, and the personalities of the people who commissioned, created, or cherished them. Long after technology has moved on, these cameras continue to inspire because they represent something increasingly uncommon: objects built with purpose, meant to last for generations, and capable of telling stories long before a shutter is ever pressed.