A gold watch that belonged to the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic was recently sold in England for £1.17 million ($1.46 million), breaking the 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, was discovered among the personal effects of John Jacob Astor, a 47-year-old American tycoon who perished in the disaster. 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.
The bidding war saw a buyer from the United States emerge victorious with a winning bid of £1.17 million ($1.46 million) at an auction held by Henry Aldridge & Son on April 27th. According to reports by AFP, Astor’s body was discovered a week later and his son subsequently wore the restored watch until it was sold at auction. This marked a significant moment in history as it allowed us to appreciate not only John Jacob Astor’s wealth but also his bravery and generosity towards others during such a tragic event.