The pocket watch of the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic, John Jacob Astor IV, has fetched a staggering £1,175 million at auction, far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of £100,000 to £150,000. The 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch, engraved with Astor’s initials “JJA,” was found with his body after the Titanic sank in April 1912.
The auction, held by Henry Aldridge & Son, started with a bid of £60,000 and ultimately went to an American buyer. Along with the watch, Astor was also found with a diamond ring, gold and diamond cufflinks, English notes, and $2,440.
Astor, known as one of the richest passengers on the Titanic with a net worth of $87 million at the time, tragically perished after helping his pregnant wife onto a lifeboat. His son later wore the restored watch, which was returned to the family.
This sale marks a new record for Titanic memorabilia, surpassing the previous highest amount paid for a violin played as the ship sank, which sold for £1.1 million in 2013 at the same auction house. The auctioneer, Andrew Aldridge, described the prices fetched for the Titanic artifacts as “absolutely incredible,” highlighting the enduring appeal and fascination with the Titanic story.
The auction for the historic pocket watch and other Titanic memorabilia took place on Saturday, attracting bidders from around the world and capturing the attention of collectors and history enthusiasts alike.