A pocket watch once owned by the wealthiest passenger on the Titanic was sold at auction for a staggering £1,175 million (€1,38 million, $1,46 million), surpassing the initial estimate provided by the auction house.
The auction house, Henry Aldridge & Son, had originally projected the watch to sell for a price range of £100,000 to £150,000.
The Auction Details
The bidding for John Jacob Astor IV’s 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch started at £60,000 and eventually went to an American buyer at the auction.
The watch, which is engraved with the initials JJA, was discovered with Astor’s body when it was retrieved several days after the Titanic tragedy in April 1912. Along with the watch, Astor was found with a diamond ring, gold and diamond cufflinks, 225 pounds in English currency, and $2,440.
Historical Significance
The auction house noted, “The watch itself was completely restored after being returned to Colonel Astor’s family and worn by his son.”
John Jacob Astor IV, considered the richest passenger on the Titanic, had a net worth of approximately $87 million during that era, making him one of the wealthiest individuals at the time. He tragically perished after aiding his pregnant wife in boarding the last lifeboat, ensuring her survival.
Previous Titanic Memorabilia Sales
The sale of the pocket watch set a new record for Titanic artifacts, surpassing the previous highest amount paid for a Titanic item: £1.1 million for a violin that was played as the ship sank. Interestingly, the violin was also sold at the same auction house back in 2013.
In addition to the pocket watch and violin, the auction featured the sale of the case for the violin for £360,000. According to auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, the prices fetched for the Titanic memorabilia were remarkable, showcasing the enduring appeal and fascination with the Titanic story.
