Gold watch given to Titanic rescuer sells for an astounding price!
By
Aubrey Razon
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The sinking of the Titanic remains one of history’s most captivating tragedies, with stories of bravery still echoing today. A rare artifact tied to the heroic rescue has just made waves at auction.
This gold pocket watch holds a piece of history—and its value has stunned the world.
The 18-carat gold pocket watch, crafted by the prestigious Tiffany & Co., was not just a luxurious timepiece but a symbol of gratitude and recognition.
It was presented to Captain Arthur Rostron of the RMS Carpathia by three women survivors, including the widow of John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest man to perish in the disaster.
This poignant gesture was in honor of Rostron's quick thinking and valiant efforts that saved 700 souls from the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
![Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 14.54.28.png Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 14.54.28.png](https://thegrayvine.com/data/attachments/55/55471-8a66df7ee32c06b20bf2eac415491161.jpg)
At a recent auction held by Henry Aldridge and Son, this watch fetched an astonishing 1.56 million British pounds (approximately $1,968,408 USD), including taxes and fees.
This sale set a new record for Titanic memorabilia, surpassing the previous record held by Astor's own pocket watch, which was recovered with his body and sold for nearly $1.5 million.
The story behind the watch is as remarkable as its sale price.
On the night of April 15, 1912, Captain Rostron was awakened by a distress call from the sinking Titanic.
Without hesitation, he ordered the Carpathia, then en route from New York to the Mediterranean, to change course and head towards the disaster site.
Navigating through treacherous ice fields, Rostron and his crew reached the survivors in time to rescue more than 700 passengers from lifeboats scattered across the ocean.
For his extraordinary heroism, Rostron received accolades including the US Congressional Gold Medal from President William Howard Taft and a knighthood from King George V.
The watch, inscribed with the heartfelt gratitude of the survivors, served as a personal testament to his courage.
The sale of Captain Rostron's watch underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic and its legacy.
Each artifact from the shipwreck carries with it the stories of those who experienced the tragedy.
As auctioneer Andrew Aldridge remarked, the high demand and limited supply of such memorabilia only add to their mystique and value.
The inscription on the watch, listing Mrs. John B. Thayer and Mrs. George D. Widener alongside Madeleine Astor, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives intertwined with the Titanic's voyage.
Do you have a personal connection to the Titanic story? Have you ever seen or owned a piece of memorabilia from the ship? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
This gold pocket watch holds a piece of history—and its value has stunned the world.
The 18-carat gold pocket watch, crafted by the prestigious Tiffany & Co., was not just a luxurious timepiece but a symbol of gratitude and recognition.
It was presented to Captain Arthur Rostron of the RMS Carpathia by three women survivors, including the widow of John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest man to perish in the disaster.
This poignant gesture was in honor of Rostron's quick thinking and valiant efforts that saved 700 souls from the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
![Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 14.54.28.png Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 14.54.28.png](https://thegrayvine.com/data/attachments/55/55471-8a66df7ee32c06b20bf2eac415491161.jpg)
The watch, given by survivors including the widow of John Jacob Astor, fetched the highest price ever paid for Titanic memorabilia. Image source: AP/New York Post.
At a recent auction held by Henry Aldridge and Son, this watch fetched an astonishing 1.56 million British pounds (approximately $1,968,408 USD), including taxes and fees.
This sale set a new record for Titanic memorabilia, surpassing the previous record held by Astor's own pocket watch, which was recovered with his body and sold for nearly $1.5 million.
The story behind the watch is as remarkable as its sale price.
On the night of April 15, 1912, Captain Rostron was awakened by a distress call from the sinking Titanic.
Without hesitation, he ordered the Carpathia, then en route from New York to the Mediterranean, to change course and head towards the disaster site.
Navigating through treacherous ice fields, Rostron and his crew reached the survivors in time to rescue more than 700 passengers from lifeboats scattered across the ocean.
For his extraordinary heroism, Rostron received accolades including the US Congressional Gold Medal from President William Howard Taft and a knighthood from King George V.
The watch, inscribed with the heartfelt gratitude of the survivors, served as a personal testament to his courage.
The sale of Captain Rostron's watch underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic and its legacy.
Each artifact from the shipwreck carries with it the stories of those who experienced the tragedy.
As auctioneer Andrew Aldridge remarked, the high demand and limited supply of such memorabilia only add to their mystique and value.
The inscription on the watch, listing Mrs. John B. Thayer and Mrs. George D. Widener alongside Madeleine Astor, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives intertwined with the Titanic's voyage.
Key Takeaways
- A gold pocket watch awarded to Captain Arthur Rostron, who rescued Titanic survivors, sold for nearly $2 million at auction.
- The watch, given by survivors including the widow of John Jacob Astor, fetched the highest price ever paid for Titanic memorabilia.
- It was sold by auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son to a private collector in the United States.
- Captain Rostron was recognized and honoured for his heroic actions in saving over 700 passengers after the Titanic sank.