Sotheby’s to Auction Two Rolex Submariners Owned by ‘Titanic’ Cinematographer Al Giddings
Including one that was worn on over a dozen dives to the infamous ship wreckage.
Highlighted in Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches Sale, the auction house will present two Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 watches heavily associated with the Titanic — both the ship and the 1997 film.
Estimated to fetch between $20,000 – $40,000 USD is the Rolex Submariner that was both worn and owned by Al Giddings, the cinematographer and co-producer behind the film, Titanic. What adds to this diver reference’s added value is that Giddings had completed 17 dives to the infamous shipwreck while wearing the watch. The timepiece features a classic black dial with a matching bezel, accompanied by an oyster bracelet in steel.
Coming in gold, the Submariner Ref. 1680/8 also comes from Al Giddings’ personal collection, estimated at $30,000 – $60,000 USD. This particular reference is also featured on-screen, as sported by Bill Paxon’s character in Titanic. Also outfitted with a black “Nipple Dial” dial and bezel, the wristwatch was gifted to Giddings by T. Walker Lloyd, a former marine and prominent diver, who happened to be working at Rolex at the time he became acquainted with the cinematographer.
The aforementioned Rolex Submariner watches will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s Important Watches Sale, which is set to take place in New York on December 6.
