Antarctic pocket watch has adventurous past

A pocket watch that was part of a legendary expedition to Antarctica will be offered in a Cotswolds sale on July 10.

Although an outwardly unassuming, simple open face silver pocket watch, on opening the case back, a hint of its adventurous past is engraved on its dustcover: “This Watch went to Antarctica in 1914. and was carried away on the S. Y. Aurora on her long drift returning when she releived (sic) the party in 1917.”

Between 1914-1917 the SY Aurora was used by Sir Ernest Shackleton during his Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The ship would transport and supply the Ross Sea Party, led by Joseph Stenhouse. Unfortunately, in May 1915, a blizzard would cause the Aurora to break from its anchorage, and with ice impeding its manoeuvrability, the ship would spend the next 312 days adrift, only being fully freed by melting ice in March 1916.

Discovered on a valuation day in Herefordshire, the watch was inherited by the current vendor, who had inherited it over forty years ago from a distant relation. Kinghams auction house said that there is a strong interest in anything expedition and particularly Antarctic-related amongst collectors, so competitive bidding is expected.

Estimated at £400-600, the historically important Antarctic watch is coming up in Kinghams’ Jewellery, Watches & Designer Goods auction.