A gold pocket watch that was worn by a wealthy passenger before he drown with The Titanic has been sold.
The watch worn by John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest passenger on the Titanic, was recently auctioned in Wiltshire, fetching a staggering £900,000—six times its estimated value of £150,000.
With taxes and fees factored in, the final price soared to £1.175 million, setting a new world record. This surpassed the previous highest amount paid for a Titanic artifact, a violin, which sold for £900,000 and totaled £1.1 million with taxes and fees.
Astor’s watch now holds the distinction of being the most expensive item ever sold from the ill-fated liner. Another notable Titanic artifact auctioned was a violin case belonging to the orchestra leader, which fetched £290,000, or £366,000 with taxes and fees.
The auction, held in Devizes, featured over 280 maritime lots, capturing the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912, claimed over 1,500 lives and remains one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. The tragedy has inspired numerous books, plays, songs, and Hollywood films, perpetuating its enduring legacy.
Andrew Aldridge, the auctioneer, described the prices achieved for Titanic memorabilia as “absolutely incredible,” underscoring Astor’s status as one of the wealthiest passengers aboard the ship.
Aldridge also highlighted the watch’s storied history, mentioning its passage from Astor’s son Vincent to William Dobbyn, the son of Astor’s executive secretary.
