AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionWatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
PHOTO At an auction that took place last month, Tiffany & Co. placed the winning bid for this gold pocket watch given as a token of appreciation to Captain (later Sir) Arthur H. Rostron, commander of Titanic rescue liner the R.M.S. Carpathia. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)
PHOTO Given to Rostron by three Titanic survivors, Madeleine Talmage Astor, Marian Longstreth Thayer, and Eleanor Elkins Widener, the pocket watch has the captain’s initials enameled on the back. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)
New York—A historic Tiffany & Co. watch has wound its way back home.
Tiffany & Co. announced Tuesday that it was the party that placed the winning bid of $2 million for the gold pocket watch gifted to Arthur H. Rostron, the captain of the ship that came to Titanic’s aid after it hit an iceberg and began sinking.
Offered in a sale facilitated last month by English auction house Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd., the pocket watch is the single most expensive piece of Titanic memorabilia ever sold.
“Tiffany & Co. jewelry and objects have been a cornerstone of global luxury since the mid-19th century, and that Tiffany was entrusted to help give thanks in the wake of the unthinkable Titanic tragedy reminds us of our humble role in the lives of our clients,” said Christopher Young, the retailer’s vice president of creative visual merchandising, events, and the Tiffany Archives.
“Captain Rostron’s pocket watch is an incredible expression of thanks and gratitude, and we are humbled to welcome this extraordinary treasure home to Tiffany & Co.”
The watch will be on display at LVMH Watch Week 2025, scheduled for Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in Miami, and it will make special appearances at key events and at Tiffany & Co. stores.
Related stories will be right here …
Tiffany & Co. announced Tuesday that it was the party that placed the winning bid of $2 million for the gold pocket watch gifted to Arthur H. Rostron, the captain of the ship that came to Titanic’s aid after it hit an iceberg and began sinking.
Offered in a sale facilitated last month by English auction house Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd., the pocket watch is the single most expensive piece of Titanic memorabilia ever sold.
“Tiffany & Co. jewelry and objects have been a cornerstone of global luxury since the mid-19th century, and that Tiffany was entrusted to help give thanks in the wake of the unthinkable Titanic tragedy reminds us of our humble role in the lives of our clients,” said Christopher Young, the retailer’s vice president of creative visual merchandising, events, and the Tiffany Archives.
“Captain Rostron’s pocket watch is an incredible expression of thanks and gratitude, and we are humbled to welcome this extraordinary treasure home to Tiffany & Co.”
The watch will be on display at LVMH Watch Week 2025, scheduled for Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in Miami, and it will make special appearances at key events and at Tiffany & Co. stores.
Rostron was captaining the steamship R.M.S. Carpathia on a journey from New York to the Mediterranean when he became aware of a distress call from the Titanic in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.
He ordered the ship to change course to come to the Titanic’s aid, with the crew of the Carpathia ultimately rescuing more than 700 people and taking them to Pier 54 in New York City (now the site of Little Island).
Three survivors of the wreck—Madeleine Talmage Astor, Marian Longstreth Thayer, and Eleanor Elkins Widener—presented Rostron with the watch at an “intimate” luncheon for Titanic survivors that Astor hosted at her mansion on Fifth Avenue around the one-year anniversary of the tragedy.
All three women lost their husbands, prominent businessmen John Jacob Astor IV, John Borland Thayer II, and George Dunton Widener, when the Titanic sank, and Eleanor also lost her 27-year-old son, Harry Elkins Widener, in the disaster.
Madeleine Talmage Astor, Marian Longstreth Thayer, and Eleanor Elkins Widener had the gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch they gave to Rostron engraved. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)
Tiffany & Co. said Tuesday that a ledger from its archives shows that Eleanor was the one who actually purchased the watch, which is engraved with the words, “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 pocket watch also has the enameled monogram “AHR” on its caseback.
“Every man, woman and child on the Titanic had a story to tell, and we tell those stories a century later through their memorabilia,” Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd Managing Director Andrew Aldridge said.
“This watch is a testament to the bravery of Sir Arthur Rostron and the regard he was held in by the widows of three of the most influential men on the Titanic. The fact that Tiffany & Co. purchased the piece 112 years after selling it shows the circle being completed and it going home.”
More on Watches
The Latest
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
