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
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
