Two historic Rolexes that were worn to the wreckage of the R.M.S Titanic are set to go under the hammer at the Sotheby’s Important Watches Sale in New York on 6 December.
The watches were worn by two Titanic legends: a Steel 1680 Submariner, worn on over a dozen dives to the Titanic wreckage by Alfred ‘Al’ Giddings, and a Gold 1680 Submariner, worn by actor Bill Paxton in the 1997 blockbuster film.
The Steel 1680 Submariner has an estimated value of $20,000 to $40,000, while the Gold 1680 Submariner has a range of $30,000 to $60,000.
Both watches hail from the collection of Giddings, who has undertaken seventeen dives to the Titanic since its 1985 discovery.
Giddings is responsible for capturing the photograph of the ship’s impressive bow, one of the most iconic photographs of the Titanic wreckage.
He went on to co-produce James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar-winning film, and is a four-time Emmy winner himself for his documentary work.
Sotheby’s will offer these two watches at auction on 6 December, following a public view at its York Avenue galleries from 5 December.
Geoff Hess, global head of watches at Sotheby’s, said: “Al Giddings has lived an extraordinary life, brimming with experiences that only the most intrepid adventurers could dream of.
“For fifty years, these watches have journeyed with him across the globe, from the icy realms of the North Pole to the profound depths of the ocean.
“No other timepieces boast such extensive underwater exposure, particularly the steel model, which has accumulated tens, if not hundreds of thousands of hours beneath the waves. If there exists a maritime counterpart to a watch that has journeyed to the moon, these are it.
“It is a privilege to present these remarkable treasures to the market for the first time, destined to captivate those who share a passion for history, adventure, and exploration.”