In an extraordinary auction event, a gold pocket watch, awarded to Captain Arthur Rostron for his heroic efforts in rescuing 700 survivors of the Titanic disaster, has been sold for nearly $2 million. This sale has established a new record for Titanic memorabilia, captivating collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

The exquisite 18-carat watch, crafted by Tiffany & Co., was a token of appreciation from three women who survived the tragedy. These women expressed their gratitude to Captain Rostron for his swift decision to redirect his ship, the RMS Carpathia, towards the scene of the sinking after the Titanic struck an iceberg on its inaugural voyage in 1912.

Auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son confirmed that the watch was sold to a private collector in the U.S. for 1.56 million British pounds on Saturday, making it the highest price ever paid for a Titanic artifact to date. The sale price takes into account all applicable taxes and fees incurred by the buyer.

The pocket watch was gifted to Rostron from the widow of John Jacob Astor, who was one of the wealthiest individuals aboard the Titanic and tragically did not survive, along with two other widows of affluent businessmen who perished during the event.

Previously, Astor’s own pocket watch, found on his body a week post-sinking, held the record for the highest auction price of Titanic memorabilia, selling for almost $1.5 million earlier this year through the same auction house.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized that the recent record-setting sales reinforce the timeless fascination surrounding the Titanic’s story, as well as the increasing value derived from the remaining artifacts linked to the ill-fated ship. “The narratives of every person aboard continue to resonate over a century later through these cherished memorabilia,” he remarked.

Captain Rostron earned acclaim as a hero for his courageous actions that fateful night. The Carpathia was en route from New York to the Mediterranean Sea when a radio operator picked up the Titanic’s distress signal early on April 15, 1912. This prompted Rostron to spring into action, abandoning his cabin and leading his crew through treacherous iceberg-laden waters to reach the stranded vessel.

Unfortunately, by the time the Carpathia arrived, the Titanic had already sunk, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,500 lives. Nevertheless, Rostron and his crew managed to find 20 lifeboats and successfully rescued over 700 survivors, bringing them safely back to New York.

For his remarkable bravery, Rostron was honored with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal by President William Howard Taft and was later knighted by King George V. The watch was presented to him by Madeleine Astor, who had been assisted into a lifeboat by her husband before his demise, during a luncheon held at her opulent Fifth Avenue residence in New York.

The watch bears an inscription that expresses “the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors.” It notably mentions Mrs. John B. Thayer and Mrs. George D. Widener along with Astor’s name. According to Aldridge, “This presentation was primarily made in appreciation of Rostron’s courage in saving those lives.” He concluded, “Without Mr. Rostron, those 700 individuals may not have survived.”