Isidor Straus’s 18-carat gold Jules Jürgensen pocket watch sold for £1.78 million at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes on 22 November 2025. The auction house and contemporaneous Guardian reporting described it as the highest price paid for a piece of Titanic memorabilia at that time.
The auction house said the watch was a birthday gift from Ida Straus and was recovered from Isidor’s body after the sinking, then returned to his family. It was not recovered from the Titanic wreck.
What was the Straus watch?
It was an 18-carat gold Jules Jürgensen pocket watch. Henry Aldridge & Son said Ida gave it to Isidor for his 43rd birthday; The Guardian dates the gift to 1888. Isidor Straus was a partner in Macy’s and was 67 when he died with Ida in the 1912 Titanic sinking, according to The Guardian.
What happened to the watch after the sinking?
According to Henry Aldridge & Son’s pre-sale account, the watch was recovered from Isidor Straus’s body and returned to his son Jesse with his other effects. The auction house says it passed through family generations and that Straus’s great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, had its movement repaired and restored.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- Classic pocket watch: roman numerals scale, very special; Heavily engraved front and back with exquisite patterns, vintage appearance design, really good as a fashion accessory
- Back case diameter: about 4.6 cm/ 1.8 inch, small size for easy to carry; The chain is 37.5 cm/ 14.8 inch long, good length with a clip on one end to secure the watch
- Material: alloy; Black dial with white roman numerals scale and pointers, easy to read the time, it's a practical item functioning as a timepiece for everyday use
- Setting time: pull the crown away from the base of the watch and turn the crown clockwise until reaching the exact time, then press the crown back to its original position
- comes with black gift box, A unique style and classic pocket watch, great Birthday/ Wedding/ Christmas/ Anniversary Day/ Fathers Day gifts. Best present for families, friends or teachers.
This is the auction house’s reported provenance, not an independently verified archival chain. The Guardian also clarified that the watch was found on Straus’s body when he was recovered, rather than in the wreckage.
How much did the watch sell for?
Henry Aldridge & Son reported that the watch sold for £1.78 million at its 22 November 2025 auction in Devizes. The auction house gave an approximate equivalent of $2.3 million. The Guardian reported the sale the following day.
Rank #2
- Go back in time with this vintage VIGOROSO men’s gold self winding mechanical pocket watch with chain. With the easy-to-read Roman numerals and skeletal dial this gorgeous timepiece is perfect for any grand occasion.
- Product Description: Show off your love of antique design and fashion with the VIGOROSO pocket watch. Large roman numeral markers allow you to check the time with ease, even with the case closed. Engraved details on the front and back of the gold metal case show off as an homage to eras past.
- This pocket watch has all of your favorite vintage features rolled up into one timekeeping contraption. The skeletal inner dial shows off the gears and inner workings of the watch at all times. Its automatic movement winds with the movement of your arm.
- Watch comes brand new in VIGOROSO box with 60 days manufacturer warranty.
- It is a perfect Christmas gift choice for your Dad / Husband / Mom / Wife / Sisters / Brothers / boyfriend / girlfriend / teacher ... Suitable for all types of people.
The record claim applies to the reported results available at the time of the sale; it should not be taken as a claim about any later auction.
How the sale compared with other Titanic watch results
Henry Aldridge & Son reported these results for other notable Titanic-related pocket watches. They are individual auction results, not a survey of the wider watch market.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Due to poor shooting, the pocket watch itself is more refined than the picture, the perfect pocket watch! Classic pocket watch: roman numerals scale, very special; Heavily engraved front and back with exquisite patterns, vintage appearance design, really good as a fashion accessory
- Detachable chain: the package includes a pocket watch and a gold necklace chain with hook; The removable chain is easy to assemble and disassemble Way to open: the quartz pocket watch is simply designed; You can press the crown at the top of watch, and the front plate will be opened Setting time: pull the crown away from the watch base and turn the crown clockwise until reaching the exact time
- Size: this pocket watch diameter is approximately 4.6 cm/ 1.8 inches, small size for easy carry; The chain is 37 cm/ 14.57 inches in length, long enough to secure the pocket watch easily
- Silver Classic Roman Case, Black dial with filigreed hour, minute, and second hands.
- Antique gift: the Roman numeral watch comes with a gift box , functioning as a delicate gift for relatives, great Christmas/ Graduation gift/ Birthday/ Anniversary Day/ Fathers Day gifts,friends, teachers and more
| Watch | Reported sale | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Isidor Straus’s Jules Jürgensen pocket watch | £1.78 million, November 2025 | Described by the auction house as the highest price paid for a piece of Titanic memorabilia at that time |
| Gold pocket watch given to the captain of RMS Carpathia | £1.56 million | Identified by the auction house as the previous Titanic-memorabilia record |
| John Jacob Astor’s pocket watch | £1.175 million, April 2024 | A separate auction result reported by the auction house |
Why was the watch significant?
The sale brought together a named owner, a reported connection to Ida Straus, and a family history linking the object to Isidor’s recovery after the sinking. Henry Aldridge & Son said these objects continue to tell the stories of Titanic passengers and crew. The sale’s record status, as reported in November 2025, reflects this particular result and does not establish a general valuation for other watches or Titanic artifacts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
How much did Isidor Straus’s Titanic watch sell for?
It sold for £1.78 million at Henry Aldridge & Son on 22 November 2025. The auction house gave an approximate equivalent of $2.3 million.
Rank #4
- Retro pocket watch: This men's gold mechanical pocket watch is equipped with easy to read Roman numerals. Large Roman numerals can make you easily check the time, which is very suitable for any grand occasion.
- Double opening design: This pocket watch is a mechanical movement. It does not need batteries, has a longer life and is more durable. The double open design makes the pocket watch look more classic and shows your noble temperament.
- Package includes: 1 x pocket watch, 1 x chain, 1 x operating instructions, 1 x black gift box.
- Best gift: This is the perfect Christmas gift for father/husband/mother/wife/sister/brother/boyfriend/girlfriend/teacher. It is suitable for all types of people.
- After Sales Service: If you have any questions about the product, please feel free to contact seller,we will give you a satisfactory solution.
What happened to Isidor Straus’s pocket watch?
Henry Aldridge & Son says it was recovered from Straus’s body, returned to his son Jesse, and passed through family generations. The auction house also says its movement was later repaired and restored.
Was the watch recovered from the Titanic wreck?
No. The auction house’s account says it was recovered from Isidor Straus’s body. The Guardian explicitly corrected an earlier description that placed its recovery in the wreckage.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhy did the watch set a Titanic memorabilia record?
Henry Aldridge & Son said the £1.78 million result was the highest price paid for a piece of Titanic memorabilia at that time. Its reported ownership and recovery history connect it directly to Isidor Straus and the sinking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
