National News
Tiffany & Co. Acquires Historic Titanic Pocket Watch for $1.97 Million
Tiffany & Co. has set a new record with the acquisition of a rare 18k gold pocket watch for $1.97 million. The timepiece, once owned by Captain Arthur H. Rostron of the RMS Carpathia, was a gift from three Titanic survivors—Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, and Mrs. George D. Widener—who expressed their gratitude for his heroic efforts in rescuing passengers after the Titanic sank.
The pocket watch, purchased from Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd., is engraved with a heartfelt message from the survivors and features the monogram “AHR” on its caseback. This historic artifact honors Captain Rostron’s courage and pivotal role in saving hundreds of lives. Christopher Young, Vice President of Creative Visual Merchandising at Tiffany & Co., emphasized the significance of the acquisition, stating that it highlights the brand’s long-standing connection to history and its role in the luxury world.
National News
Gold Loans Average Ticket Size Jumps 39% YoY to ₹1.96 lakh
Analysts Attribute the Sharp Trajectory to Enhanced Collateral Valuations, Which Have Allowed Borrowers to Leverage Existing Assets for Higher Credit Limits
Driven by a sustained rally in bullion prices, India’s gold loan market is experiencing unprecedented growth. The average ticket size surged 39% year-over-year to ₹1.96 lakh in FY26, effectively doubling over a three-year period.
This nationwide portfolio expansion underscores robust credit demand and a broader penetration of formal financial services across demographics.
Gold loans have become the largest securitised asset class in India during the April-June quarter of FY27, overtaking vehicle loans for the first time this financial year, according to a CRISIL Ratings report. The report showed gold loans accounted for around 31% of total securitisation volumes, ahead of vehicle loans at 26%, as overall issuances rose 22% year-on-year to about ₹60,000 crore.
Analysts attribute the sharp trajectory to enhanced collateral valuations, which have allowed borrowers to leverage existing assets for higher credit limits amid tightening liquidity in alternative retail segments.
The growth story is also becoming increasingly broad-based across the country. While southern India remains an important market for gold loans, there is strong momentum in newer geographies, according to Experian, a provider of credit information.
Strong YoY sourcing growth in FY26 was seen in states such as Uttar Pradesh (+138%), West Bengal (+112%), Rajasthan (+105%) and Maharashtra (+102%), highlighting growing acceptance of gold-backed lending beyond its traditional regional concentration and indicating a broader pan-India expansion trend
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