A gold pocket watch belonging to Isidor Straus, a wealthy passenger on the Titanic, recently sold for a staggering £1.78 million at auction. The watch stopped at 2:20 a.m., the exact moment the Titanic sank on April 14, 1912. This event marked a tragic loss, with over 1,500 lives claimed, including Isidor and his wife, Ida.
Isidor was a prominent businessman and co-owner of Macy’s in New York. On the night of the disaster, Ida famously chose to remain with him rather than take a spot in a lifeboat. Her body was never found, highlighting the couple’s undying love.
The pocket watch, believed to be a gift from Ida to Isidor for his 43rd birthday in 1888, had remained in the family for generations. Kenneth Hollister Straus, Isidor’s great-grandson, restored the movement before its sale.
Highlights from the auction included a letter written by Ida on Titanic stationery, which sold for £100,000, and a Titanic passenger list that fetched £104,000. In total, the auction raised around £3 million for Titanic memorabilia.
Andrew Aldridge, the auctioneer, emphasized the lasting fascination with Titanic stories, noting that each item has a narrative connected to the people who lived through that ill-fated voyage. He described the Strauses as an “ultimate love story,” reflecting society’s continued interest in tales of devotion in the face of tragedy.
This recent sale breaks records, showcasing not just historical importance but also our enduring connection to the Titanic’s legacy. For more on the historical significance of Titanic memorabilia, you can explore a detailed report from BBC.
