Gold Watch from Titanic's Richest Passenger Sells for $1.46M
- Publish date: Monday، 29 April 2024
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A pocket watch that once belonged to John Jacob Astor IV, the richest passenger aboard the Titanic, was sold for £1.2 million ($1.46 million) at auction on Saturday. This surpassed the pre-sale estimate significantly.
High Expectations Surpassed
Henry Aldridge & Son, the auction house handling the sale, had estimated the watch would fetch between £100,000 and £150,000. The 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch had a starting bid of £60,000 and was ultimately bought by an American bidder.
Watch's Historical Significance
The watch was found with Astor's body after the Titanic disaster in April 1912. The watch, engraved with Astor's initials, had been restored and later worn by his son.
Additional Items Recovered
Besides the watch, Astor's body was found with a diamond ring, gold and diamond cufflinks, 225 pounds in English notes, and $2,440.