A gold pocket watch awarded to Captain Arthur Rostron, who heroically rescued around 700 survivors from the ill-fated RMS Titanic, has sold for nearly $2 million at auction, marking it as the most expensive piece of memorabilia associated with the historic shipwreck.
The exquisite 18-carat Tiffany & Co. watch, valued at 1.56 million British pounds, was sold by auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son. The bidding took place on November 16, 2024, and the final price includes all taxes and fees, bringing the total to approximately P115 million.
This remarkable timepiece, presented to Captain Rostron as a token of gratitude by three women who were saved during the disaster, epitomizes the enduring spirit of the Titanic saga. The inscription on the watch reads, "Presented to Captain Rostron, with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic," along with the date of the tragedy, April 15, 1912, and the names of the illustrious widows—Madeleine Astor, George Widener’s widow, and John Thayer’s widow—who contributed to this exceptional gift.
Interestingly, the auction included other significant items, with Astor's own pocket watch fetching nearly P87 million, making it the second most valuable item linked to the Titanic disaster. Aldridge expressed the broader fascination with Titanic artifacts, stating, "Every man, woman, and child had a story to tell, and those stories are told over a century later through the memorabilia." This legend continues to capture public imagination.
Captain Rostron's courageous actions earned him prestigious recognition, including the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by President William Howard Taft, marking him as the highest honored non-U.S. citizen for his brave relief efforts on the night of the Titanic sinking.
Public interest remains high for artifacts connected to the Titanic, not solely due to their historical significance but also the poignant stories tied to them. The watch's sale demonstrates how the legacy of this maritime tragedy continues to resonate, drawing collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
This auction serves as yet another reminder of the Titanic's haunting legacy and its captain's pressing heroism during one of the most tragic maritime events of the 20th century.
