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Titanic Pocket Watch Sells for £1.78 Million, Sets Record

Source: Titanic passenger's pocket watch fetches £1.78m at auction (2025-11-23)

A rare 18-carat gold pocket watch recovered from Titanic passenger Isidor Straus has sold for a staggering £1.78 million at auction, marking a new record for Titanic memorabilia. The watch, which stopped at the moment the ship sank in 1912, was part of Straus’s personal belongings, recovered from his body in the Atlantic. Straus, co-owner of Macy’s and a prominent businessman, famously refused a spot on a lifeboat to stay with his wife, Ida, who was never found. The auction, held by Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire, also featured other Titanic artifacts, including a letter from Ida Straus, a passenger list, and a medal awarded to the RMS Carpathia crew, collectively reaching £3 million. Recent discoveries and research have shed new light on the Titanic disaster, revealing previously unknown details about the ship’s construction flaws, the role of iceberg warnings, and the rescue operations. For instance, new evidence suggests that the Titanic’s steel was more brittle than initially thought, contributing to the severity of the damage. Additionally, recent underwater explorations have uncovered more artifacts from the wreck site, providing insights into the ship’s final moments. The auction’s record-breaking sale underscores the enduring fascination with Titanic history and the personal stories of its passengers. Experts believe that such memorabilia not only hold historical significance but also serve as poignant reminders of human resilience and tragedy. As Titanic-related items continue to fetch high prices, historians and collectors alike are increasingly interested in the ship’s legacy, which has influenced maritime safety regulations and popular culture worldwide. The recent surge in Titanic memorabilia sales reflects a broader trend of renewed interest in early 20th-century maritime history, driven by technological advances in underwater archaeology and digitization of archives. This event also highlights the importance of preserving such artifacts, which offer tangible connections to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, and serve as educational tools for future generations. The story of Isidor and Ida Straus remains a symbol of love and sacrifice, resonating deeply with the public and collectors, ensuring that their legacy endures through these priceless artifacts.

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