Historic Titanic Rescue Watch Sells for Record £1.56 Million

Captain Arthur Rostron’s Gold Watch Achieves Highest Price for Titanic Memorabilia

A gold pocket watch, given to Captain Arthur Rostron of the RMS Carpathia, was sold for a record-breaking £1.56 million, becoming the most expensive piece of Titanic memorabilia ever sold.

The auction was conducted by Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, and the watch was purchased by a private collector in the United States.

The previous record for Titanic memorabilia was £1.175 million, held by another gold pocket watch belonging to the wealthy Titanic passenger John Jacob Astor.

The watch, presented to Rostron by Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Mrs. John B.Thayer, and Mrs. George D.Widener, bears an inscription of gratitude for rescuing 705 survivors from the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Rostron's bravery was commemorated during a luncheon at the Astor family mansion in New York.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge highlighted the enduring interest in Titanic history and noted the increasing value of such artifacts due to high demand and limited availability.