A Gold Pocket Watch Recovered From the ‘Titanic’ Just Sold for a Record $2.3 Million
Among all the first-class ornaments unearthed Titanicone piece now reigns supreme.
A gold pocket watch belonging to one of the richest passengers on the ill-fated ocean liner sold for a record £1.78 million (about $2.3 million) at a Henry Aldridge & Son auction in England on Saturday, making it the world’s most expensive piece. TitanicAccording to relevant memories in history auction house.
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A Jules Jurgensen watch was recovered from the body of Isidor Straus. The Bavarian-born American businessman, politician and co-owner of Macy’s and his wife, Ida, were among more than 1,500 people who died when the 883-foot ship hit an iceberg and sank on April 14, 1912.
The couple’s final moments were widely documented; it was even depicted in James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster. Titanic– both reportedly refused lifeboats to stay together. Ida was invited to join other women and children, but she refused because she wanted to stay with her husband. After some time, Isidor was offered a place due to his age, but he could not take the place from women or children. The couple was last seen in each other’s arms as the ship succumbed to the cold North Atlantic waters. Historian Office.
Monument to Isidor Straus and his wife Ida
Jesus’ body was never found, but Isidor’s body was pulled from the Atlantic days after the disaster. This watch was among his belongings. It is thought to be a birthday gift that Ida gave to her husband in 1888. The 18 carat gold case is engraved with Isidor’s initials and the date of his 43rd birthday. The hands are still at 2:20, which means exactly what time it is. Titanic disappeared under water. After being recovered, the watch was returned to the Straus family. It was passed down through the generations and eventually bequeathed to Isidor’s grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, who decided to restore it.
The watch was expected to sell for over £1 million but this figure has almost doubled. It is now among the most expensive Titanic This collection includes an 18-carat gold Tiffany & Co. gold coin that achieved £1.56 million (about $2 million) at the Henry Aldridge & Son auction in November 2024. He left his pocket watch behind. This piece, which was gifted to the captain of the RMS Carpathia for saving the lives of approximately 700 passengers from the shipwreck, was purchased by Tiffany herself. The auction house did not say who bought Isidor’s watch, but it sure got a good score.
“World record price shows enduring interest in products” Titanic story; The auction house’s managing director, Andrew Aldridge, said every man, woman and child passenger or crew member had a story to tell, and 113 years later it was being told through memories. Robb Report via email. “The Strauses were the ultimate love story, with Ida refusing to leave her husband of 41 years. Titanic sank and this world record price is a testament to the respect held for them.”
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