Devendra Kumar
A luxurious gold pocket watch recovered from the body of John Jacob Astor, the richest man on the Titanic, has fetched a record-breaking sum of £1.175 million to a private collector in the US. The timepiece, engraved with Astor’s initials, was sold at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, on Saturday, exceeding the previous highest amount paid for Titanic memorabilia of £1.1 million for a violin played as the ship sank. The vinyl, sold at the same auction house in 2013, highlights the enduring appeal of the Titanic story. As described by auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, “the prices fetched by the Titanic memorabilia are absolutely incredible,” reflecting the importance and rarity of the artefacts as well as the ongoing fascination with the Titanic story.
Astor, a prominent member of the wealthy Astor family, went down with the ship on April 14, 1912, after seeing his new wife Madeleine onto a lifeboat. His body was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean seven days later, along with his exquisite 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch, engraved JJA. The watch, a testament to Astor’s opulence, was passed down through generations before finding its way to the auction block. Astor’s incredible wealth was no secret, with an estimated worth of roughly $87 million, equivalent to several billion dollars today, making him one of the richest people in the world at the time.
The story of John Jacob Astor and his tragic demise is one that continues to fascinate us today. As Aldridge noted, “the story of the Titanic is not just about the tragic loss of life, but about the 2,200 individual stories of those who sailed on the ship.” The memorabilia, including the pocket watch and violin, tells those stories, allowing us to connect with the past. The sale of the pocket watch marks a significant milestone in Titanic memorabilia, with the auctioneers describing the outcome as “absolutely incredible,” serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of human stories.
The sale of the timepiece comes as no surprise, given the enduring appeal of the Titanic story. The tragedy of the ship’s sinking and the loss of life continues to charm audiences to this day. The luxurious pocket watch, with its intricate engravings and opulent design, serves as a reminder of the grandeur and extravagance of the ship and its passengers. The sale of the watch is a testament to the power of human stories, and the way in which they can transcend time and capture our imagination.