Titanic passenger's gold pocket watch auctioned for record €1.17 million

The wealthiest person in Titanic, John Jacob Astor's gold watch was auctioned for €1.17 million ($1.46 million) in England. This auction which was conducted by Henry Aldridge & Son marked the highest amount ever paid for an item linked to the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

Gold pocket watch

The winning bid far exceeded the auctioneer's initial estimate of £100,000 to £150,000. The watch is engraved with initial JJA and belonged to a prominent American businessman Astor. Astor lost his life at the age of 47 in the Titanic tragedy. He however made sure that his wife, Madeleine, boarded a lifeboat.

As per the auction house the watch was recovered from the body a week later and was worn by his son.

The auction was held in Devizes that featured over 280 lots related to ocean liners. It includes two significant items from Titanic's history. Along with the gold watch, a violin case that belonged to the orchestra leader, who famously continued to play as the ship sank was also auctioned.

As per BBC, the case was sold for £290,000, with the final price, including taxes and fees, reaching £366,000.

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