A gold pocket watch, presented to Captain Arthur Rostron of the RMS Carpathia, who rescued over 700 Titanic survivors, has been sold at auction for nearly $2 million. The prized 18-carat “onion watch,” signed by Tiffany & Co., was given to the officer by three female survivors as a token of gratitude.
Rostron diverted his ship toward the site of the disaster, braving a perilous stretch of ice to reach the Titanic, which had struck an iceberg and sunk in the North Atlantic during its maiden voyage in 1912.
The watch, which was recently auctioned by Henry Aldridge and Son and purchased by a private U.S. collector, is now the most expensive Titanic relic ever sold. It broke the previous record held by the pocket watch of John Jacob Astor, a wealthy businessman, which was recovered seven days after the sinking and sold for around $1.5 million.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge explained how the fascination with the Titanic story continues to grow: “The value of these items is driven by increasing demand and limited availability.” Aldridge also noted that each survivor or victim of the tragedy carries a unique story, passed down over time through artifacts like these.
Rostron is still remembered as a hero for his prompt action during the night of April 14-15. Despite the Titanic having already sunk and about 1,500 people drowned, the Carpathia crew managed to locate 20 lifeboats and rescue hundreds of people, bringing them to New York City.
For his efforts, Captain Rostron was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, presented personally by President William Howard Taft, and was knighted by King George V.
