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Titanic Watch Fetches Record £1.78 Million at Auction

11/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Jules Jurgensen watch owned by Titanic passenger Isidor Straus sold for a record £1.78 million ($2.32 million) at auction.
The 18-carat watch was a gift from Ida Straus, Isidor Straus's wife, for his 43rd birthday and was recovered after the 1912 sinking.
Isidor Straus and Ida Straus chose to stay together, refusing lifeboats.
Henry Aldridge & Son staged the sale in Devizes, Wiltshire, and total sales reached £3 million.

History

Historical Context

The RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, after striking an iceberg during its maiden voyage, resulting in over 1,500 deaths. This disaster exposed severe maritime safety failures, leading to significant regulatory changes, including the establishment of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea in 1914. The tragedy continues to resonate culturally, exemplified by the recent auction of Isidor Straus's watch for £1.78 million.

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Story summary

The Jules Jurgensen watch owned by Titanic passenger Isidor Straus sold for a record £1.78 million ($2.32 million) at auction.
The 18-carat watch was a gift from Ida Straus, Isidor Straus's wife, for his 43rd birthday and was recovered after the 1912 sinking.
Isidor Straus and Ida Straus chose to stay together, refusing lifeboats.
Henry Aldridge & Son staged the sale in Devizes, Wiltshire, and total sales reached £3 million.

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