AuctionsNov 06, 2024
Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to AuctionAuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
RMS Carpathia Captain Arthur Rostron received this watch from three surviving widows inscribed with a heartfelt message.
New York—An 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch gifted to the captain of a ship that rescued hundreds of passengers and crew from the sinking Titanic has sold at auction for $1.97 million.
The timepiece belonged to steamship RMS Carpathia Captain Arthur Rostron, who changed course during a journey from New York to the Mediterranean after hearing distress calls from the Titanic in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, after it had hit an iceberg the night before.
He ultimately rescued more than 700 people.
A year or so later, Rostron was gifted the watch by three women who lost their husbands in the shipwreck, according to U.K.-based auction company Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd, which facilitated the sale.
The trio included the widow of John Jacob Astor IV, the richest man aboard the Titanic, famously depicted in James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic,” who made sure his then-pregnant wife made it into a lifeboat before he died alongside around 1,500 others.
The women presented him with the watch to recognize his courageous actions at Astor’s New York mansion on May 31, 1913.
The watch bears the inscription, “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912 Mrs John B Thayer, Mrs John Jacob Astor and Mrs George D Widener.”
The timepiece was sold to a private collector in the United States, said the auction house, attributing the information to U.K.-based PA Media.
Related stories will be right here …
The timepiece belonged to steamship RMS Carpathia Captain Arthur Rostron, who changed course during a journey from New York to the Mediterranean after hearing distress calls from the Titanic in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, after it had hit an iceberg the night before.
He ultimately rescued more than 700 people.
A year or so later, Rostron was gifted the watch by three women who lost their husbands in the shipwreck, according to U.K.-based auction company Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd, which facilitated the sale.
The trio included the widow of John Jacob Astor IV, the richest man aboard the Titanic, famously depicted in James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic,” who made sure his then-pregnant wife made it into a lifeboat before he died alongside around 1,500 others.
The women presented him with the watch to recognize his courageous actions at Astor’s New York mansion on May 31, 1913.
The watch bears the inscription, “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912 Mrs John B Thayer, Mrs John Jacob Astor and Mrs George D Widener.”
The timepiece was sold to a private collector in the United States, said the auction house, attributing the information to U.K.-based PA Media.
The sale broke the previous record for a Titanic-related object sold at auction, also a pocket watch, which sold earlier this year for $1.49 million.
Fourth-generation auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, who operates the family-run auction business with his wife Chrissie, told the New York Times he guessed that Rostron’s timepiece, which likely sold for $20 or $30 when it was first purchased in 1912, would’ve normally achieved about $10,000 at a modern-day auction.
Andrew specializes in the sale of iconic collector’s items and is a leading authority in the valuation of Titanic memorabilia, according to the company’s website.
He thinks the fascination with the shipwreck is here to stay.
“The fact the world record price for Titanic memorabilia has been broken twice this year demonstrates the ever-decreasing supply and an ever-increasing demand for memorabilia related to the ship,” Andrew told CNN.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
