An 18k gold pocket watch, gifted by survivors of the Titanic to the captain of the R.M.S. Carpathia, the ship that rescued them, has been acquired by Tiffany & Co. for $1.97 million. The purchase, made at a U.K. auction in November, marks the highest price ever paid for a piece of Titanic memorabilia. Initially, the buyer was anonymous, but Tiffany & Co. has now confirmed its ownership, bringing the historic timepiece back to its origins.
Christopher Young, vice president of creative visual merchandising, events, and The Tiffany Archives at Tiffany & Co., expressed his surprise at the opportunity. “I never thought this would come up again,” he said. “There are pieces you assume are in museums, never to be seen again. But suddenly, they become available. This is an emotional return for us.”
The pocket watch holds a poignant history. It was gifted to Capt. Arthur H. Rostron by three prominent Titanic survivors: Mrs. Madeleine Talmage Astor, Mrs. Marian Longstreth Thayer, and Mrs. Eleanor Elkins Widener. These women, who lost their husbands in the disaster, wanted to thank Rostron for saving their lives and the lives of nearly 700 others when the Titanic sank on April 14-15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg.
According to The Tiffany Archives, the watch was purchased on May 24, 1912, by Mrs. G. D. Widener for $135. “These women were among the wealthiest passengers on the Titanic,” Young explained. “Capt. Rostron even gave up his cabin for them during the journey back to New York. Less than a month after arriving, they decided to honor his heroism with this gift.”
The watch is engraved with the words: “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912.”
The timepiece also highlights Tiffany & Co.’s long-standing connection to horology. The company began selling watches and clocks in 1847 and opened its own watchmaking facility in Geneva in 1874. Young noted the watch’s exceptional craftsmanship, including its adjustable balance wheel and ruby-set escapement wheel, which enhance precision and durability. “The ruby setting is a hallmark of high-quality watchmaking,” he said.
Tiffany & Co. plans to showcase the watch publicly, starting with an exclusive presentation at LVMH Watch Week in Los Angeles in January. Afterward, it will be displayed in select Tiffany stores as part of special events celebrating the brand’s history.
“This watch symbolizes gratitude and heroism,” Young said. “It represents the Gilded Age of New York and Tiffany’s role in that era. Yet, it remains relevant to the timepieces we offer today. People trust Tiffany to mark their most important moments with something meaningful and enduring.”
The acquisition underscores Tiffany & Co.’s commitment to preserving and celebrating historical artifacts while continuing its legacy of craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Related topics:
- Jewellery Business Thrives After Launch at Ffos Caerffili
- Responsible Jewellery Council Introduces New Standards for Lab-Created Diamonds
- Tampa Bay Jewelry Designer Brings Affordable Luxury to the Oscars
