Recently, a gold watch that was discovered on the body of the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic was auctioned in England for £1.17 million ($1.46 million), according to a report by AFP on April 27. This amount set a record for the highest sum paid for an item linked to the tragic 1912 shipwreck, as announced by auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son. The watch, which had the initials JJA engraved on it, belonged to American tycoon John Jacob Astor.
Astor was 47 years old when he perished as the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. Known as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world during that period, he lost his life after assisting his wife, Madeleine, onto a lifeboat. Fortunately, she survived the disaster. Astor’s body was discovered a week later, with the watch found among his personal effects.
Following its recovery, the watch was fully restored and subsequently worn by Astor’s son. According to a statement from the auction house cited by AFP, “The sale of this historic item is not only an important milestone for our company but also for collectors worldwide.”
