A gold pocket watch has reportedly become the most expensive piece of Titanic memorabilia ever sold.
Tiffany & Co. bought the watch for $1.97 million at Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd auction house in the UK.
The 18k Tiffany & Co. watch was presented to Arthur H. Rostron, captain of the R.M.S. Carpathia, in 1912.
The Carpathia came to the aid of the stricken Titanic, rescuing almost 700 passengers.
Among them were three women: Madeleine Talmage Astor; Marian Longstreth Thayer; and Eleanor Elkins Widener.
They bought the gold watch as a gesture of thanks to Capt Rostron.
The watch 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”.
On the back it has the enamelled monogram “AHR” – the captain’s initials.
The watch was presented to Capt Rostron at a lunch for fellow Titanic survivors hosted by Mrs. Astor at her home in New York.
“Tiffany & Co. jewelry and objects have been a cornerstone of global luxury since the mid-nineteenth century, and that Tiffany was entrusted to help give thanks in the wake of the unthinkable Titanic tragedy reminds us of our humble role in the lives of our clients,” said Tiffany & Co.’s Christopher Young.
“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.”