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The exquisite Waltham pocket watch, made of 14-karat gold and engraved with “JJA,” once belonged to John Jacob Astor — a businessman, billionaire, member of American high society, inventor, and writer. His fortune was estimated at around $87 million at the time, which would equal several billion dollars today.
Seven days after the Titanic sank, rescuers recovered Astor’s body — and the gold watch — from the Atlantic. The watch was handed over to his 20-year-old son from a previous marriage, Vincent.
A private American collector recently bought the watch at an auction in Britain held by Henry Aldridge & Son. It fetched £1.2 million — about $1.5 million once buyer’s premiums and taxes were included.
The previous record for a Titanic artifact was £1.1 million ($1.4 million): a violin reportedly played during the sinking, sold by the same auction house in 2013, The Guardian reported.
Why This Pocket Watch Is So Valuable
The gold watch was present during one of the 20th century’s worst maritime disasters — the Titanic sinking on April 14–15, 1912. Its owner, 47-year-old John Jacob Astor, died when the ship went down after placing his pregnant 18-year-old wife, Madeleine Force, into a lifeboat.
The couple, who had recently married, had been traveling through various countries. Crossing the Atlantic on the Titanic was meant to be the grand finale of their journey as they awaited their first child.
The Astors were aboard with servants and their dog, Kitty. When the iceberg struck the hull and ripped it open, panic swept the ship. Astor put his wife, a maid, and a nurse into lifeboat number 4. Realizing he was likely saying goodbye, he gave Madeleine his gloves. Survivors recalled that in his final moments he stood on the bridge wing with his dog, smoking a cigarette.
Those and other stories of people who survived or perished have inspired artists for 112 years, producing books, music, and films.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the high prices for Titanic artifacts highlight their cultural significance and the enduring fascination with the ship’s story. He added that there are about 2,200 accounts that recount parts of those events.
