Auctions

Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to Auction

AuctionsNov 06, 2024

Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to Auction

The Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.

Alfred ‘Al’ Giddings Rolex Submariner watches Titanic
Underwater cinematographer Al Giddings (left) routinely wore his Rolex “Red” Submariner (right) during his adventures, including dives to the Titanic wreckage site. It will be offered alongside Giddings’ gold Rolex Submariner at Sotheby’s December watch auction.
New York—Two Rolex watches that have been worn across the globe, from the North Pole to the underwater wreckage site of the Royal Mail Steamer (R.M.S.) Titanic, will make their auction debut at Sotheby’s next month.

Both pieces come from the collection of Emmy Award-winning underwater cinematographer Alfred “Al” Giddings, known for his role as co-producer and director of underwater photography for James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar-winning film “Titanic."

The Rolexes on offer include a steel 1680 Submariner that Giddings worn on several of his dives to the site of the Titanic wreckage, and a gold 1680 Submariner that he lent to actor Bill Paxton for his character Brock Lovett to wear in the blockbuster film.

Giddings, trained to dive in 1959, was the first to dive with mixed gases to the site of the Andrea Doria in 1969, as well as the first to discover, dive, and penetrate the Japanese I-169 submarine in Truk Lagoon in 1973, according to Sotheby’s. 

Since Robert Ballard’s 1985 discovery of the R.M.S. Titanic, Giddings has completed 17 dives to the site, which has only been seen by fewer than 250 people in the world, said Sotheby’s.

For more than a dozen of those dives, Giddings wore his Rolex Ref. 1680 Submariner, which is estimated to sell at auction for $20,000 to $40,000.

Al Giddings Rolex Ref. 1680 Submariner
The Rolex Ref. 1680 “Red” Submariner owned and worn by Al Giddings, circa 1976


Giddings’ model was a “Red Sub,” a version featuring red Submariner text on the dial that was only produced for the first part of the Ref. 1680’s production run, according to watch marketplace Bob’s Watches.

Giddings said of the Rolex, “The appropriate diving watch was the thing to have, and this watch performed flawlessly, emphasis [on] flawlessly, for all those years, both underwater in different pressure environments and different submersibles: on Titanic, on the Andrea Doria, shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, the North Pole, Antarctica. 

“There really was no competition; it was simply the best.” 

Giddings Rolex Submariner
Al Giddings standing on top of the Alvin submersible, which went to wreckage of Titanic in 1986, wearing his Rolex “Red” Submariner


Sotheby’s said it isn’t often the auction house comes across a Rolex Submariner with such “distinguished dive and exploration history.” 

In some ways, the watch is the “ultimate evolution” of what the Rolex Oyster is supposed to be—a waterproof wristwatch—but in other ways, it was the beginning of a legend that would go on to define the “dive watch genre,” becoming an icon on the seas and in Hollywood. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

Giddings began developing innovative cameras, lighting, optical systems, and other gear from a young age.

He later worked with National Geographic and the BBC, as well as on documentaries and major motion pictures like the James Bond films “For Your Eyes Only” with Roger Moore and “Never Say Never Again” with Sean Connery, and another Cameron film, 1989’s “The Abyss.”

In 1992, Giddings and a Soviet-American team of scientists, technicians, and dive experts put together detailed footage of the Titanic wreckage for the documentary “Titanic: Treasure of the Deep,” a film that, while being screened for the Academy in Hollywood, inspired Cameron to collaborate with Giddings again in making “Titanic.”

Another of Giddings’ projects was documenting the research of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a highly regarded marine biologist, oceanographer, and explorer he worked closely with for several years. 

Giddings’ ability to capture the underwater world was integral in bringing her work and research to life, Sotheby’s said.

Rolex, continuing its involvement in deep-sea exploration, sought photos of Earle for a campaign.

At the time, the watchmaker had an employee named T. Walker Lloyd who was a former Marine and prominent diver. He also happened to be friends with Giddings.

Giddings sent his photos of Earle to Rolex as a favor to his friend, and Lloyd thanked him with a watch.

Al Giddings Rolex Ref. 1680 Nipple Dial Submariner
The circa 1984 yellow gold Rolex Ref. 1680/8 “Nipple Dial” Submariner owned by Al Giddings and worn on screen by Bill Paxton in “Titanic”


“About a month went by, and a box came in the mail that just said, ‘Enjoy, T. Walker Lloyd.’ And it was this gold Rolex. I was in shock,” Giddings said.  

“I think at the time they were $10,000.” 

The timepiece, a yellow gold Rolex Ref. 1680/8 “Nipple Dial” Submariner, is estimated to sell at auction for $30,000 to $60,000. 

Giddings wore this watch sparingly but did use it on dives to important locations, and it was the watch Paxton wore in “Titanic,” Sotheby’s said. 

Giddings also had a cameo in the movie as one of the Mir submersible operators speaking with Paxton.  

“I finished my part of the movie and went back to Montana,” Giddings said.  

“Eight or 10 months later, I started scratching my head, ‘Whatever happened to my gold Rolex?’ and got ahold of Jim’s office. And a week or two later, it came in the mail with a thank-you note, from Fox.” 


“Al Giddings has lived an extraordinary life, brimming with experiences that only the most intrepid adventurers could dream of. For 50 years, these watches have journeyed with him across the globe, from the icy realms of the North Pole to the profound depths of the ocean. 

“No other timepieces boast such extensive underwater exposure, particularly the steel model, which has accumulated tens, if not hundreds of thousands of hours, beneath the waves. If there exists a maritime counterpart to a watch that has journeyed to the moon, these are it,” Sotheby’s Global Head of Watches Geoff Hess said.

The watches will make their auction debut at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale on Dec. 6 in New York. 

They will be on be public view at Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries on Dec. 5. 
Lauren McLemoreis the associate editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments.

The Latest

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy