Tiffany & Co. has set a new record with its acquisition of a historic pocket watch from 1912. The timepiece was purchased at auction in the UK for US$1.97 million (approximately C$2.83 million). The 18K gold watch is now the highest-valued Titanic memorabilia ever sold.
The pocket watch was originally presented to Captain Arthur H. Rostron, the captain of the R.M.S. Carpathia, who famously rescued nearly 700 survivors after the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912. It was given by Mrs. Madeleine Talmage Astor, Mrs. Marian Longstreth Thayer, and Mrs. Eleanor Elkins Widener as a token of gratitude for the captain’s heroism.
According to a ledger in The Tiffany Archives, the watch was purchased by Mrs. G.D. Widener, one of the women who presented it to Captain Rostron. The timepiece is engraved with the inscription: “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” It also features the captain’s monogrammed initials on its case back.
Christopher Young, vice president of creative visual merchandising, events and the Tiffany & Co. archives, says, “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.”
