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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
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.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
