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.
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.

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.”
The Latest

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.


While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.