A gold pocket watch recovered from the body of a first-class passenger who perished on the RMS Titanic has been sold for a staggering £1.78 million, setting a new world record for Titanic memorabilia. The timepiece belonged to Isidor Straus, who, along with his wife Ida, famously chose to remain together as the ship sank in April 1912.
The Ultimate Love Story: A Fateful Decision
The 18-carat gold watch, made by Jules Jurgensen, was a poignant relic from one of history's most famous maritime disasters. Isidor Straus, a co-owner of the Macy's department store in New York, had received the watch as a gift for his 43rd birthday in 1888. He and his wife Ida were returning to the United States from a trip to Jerusalem via Southampton when they boarded the ill-fated liner.
On the night of the sinking, the elderly couple made their way to the boat deck. When Mr Straus was offered a place on a lifeboat due to his age, he refused, stating he would not go before other men. In an act of profound devotion, Ida Straus refused to leave her husband. They were last seen alive sitting together on deck chairs as the ship went down, a scene immortalised in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film, Titanic.
A Historic Auction in Wiltshire
The historic sale took place on Saturday at Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers in Devizes, Wiltshire. The watch had remained with the Straus family since it was recovered from Isidor's body along with his other personal effects. The final hammer price of £1.78 million comfortably surpassed the previous record of £1.56 million, set just last year by a watch belonging to the captain of a rescue ship.
Andrew Aldridge, the auctioneer, commented on the immense price, stating, "The world record price illustrates the enduring interest in the Titanic story. The Strauses were the ultimate love story, and this world record price is testament to the respect that they are held in."
Other Notable Sales from the Collection
The auction featured several other significant items connected to the Titanic, contributing to a total sale of £3 million. Among the highlights were:
- A letter written by Ida Straus on Titanic stationery and posted from the ship, which fetched £100,000.
- A Titanic passenger list that sold for £104,000.
- A gold medal awarded to the crew of the RMS Carpathia by rescued survivors, which achieved £86,000.
The sale underscores the powerful and lasting fascination with the personal stories of those aboard the Titanic, more than 113 years after the disaster claimed over 1,500 lives.
