Gold watch of famous couple on Titanic sold for 60 billion VND

The couple's belongings, who were on board the ill-fated Titanic, who were packed into lifeboats but refused to leave, have just sold for a record price.

Isidor and Ida Straus are remembered as two of the most famous victims of the Titanic disaster, and were among the few first-class passengers who died.

The two, who inspired the tearful love story in James Cameron's Oscar-winning 1997 film "Titanic," were offered a seat on one of the lifeboats but refused to separate. Isidor, co-owner of the New York department store Macy's, was later found dead. His wife, however, was never found.

Front of the watch

PHOTO: CMH

Now, more than a century after the world's most famous maritime disaster, the gold pocket watch Isidor was wearing has sold at auction for a record price. At a UK auction late last month, the historic timepiece sold for £1.78 million ($2.34 million), making it the most valuable Titanic memorabilia ever sold. The previous record was held by another gold watch - one owned by John Jacob Astor IV, the richest person on the Titanic, which sold for £1.175 million ($1.485 million) in April 2024, according to CNN.

Isidor's watch was recovered from his body and returned to the couple's son, Jesse. Ida is commemorated on her husband's grave at Woodlawn Cemetery, New York. The watch is engraved with Isidor's initials and the date February 6, 1888 – his 43rd birthday and the year he and his brother Nathan became full partners at Macy's.

Described by auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son, who handled the sale, as “one of the most important and iconic Titanic items ever offered for sale”, the watch had been passed down through generations of the family before being put up for auction.

The back of the watch

PHOTO: CMH

In the 1997 film "Titanic," the Strauses, played by Lew Palter and Elsa Raven, are depicted hugging each other in bed as the ship sinks. In reality, the couple, who were returning to the United States from their native Germany, were last seen by survivors standing together on the deck, hand in hand, before being swept overboard.

In the movie "Titanic", the tearful love story of Rose and Jack is completely imaginary and fictional. However, director James Cameron connected the details and personalities of the Straus couple to make the story more realistic.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dong-ho-vang-cua-cap-doi-noi-tieng-tren-tau-titanic-duoc-ban-60-ti-dong-185251207061425857.htm