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
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
