Historic Gold Watch Worn by Wealthiest Titanic Passenger Set for Auction
Discover the exquisite gold watch once adorned by John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest individual on the Titanic, as it prepares to be auctioned alongside other memorabilia from the tragic voyage.
A gold watch that belonged to John Jacob Astor IV, a member of the wealthy Astor family and the richest man on the Titanic, will be auctioned along with other memorabilia from the ill-fated ship.
Astor was among the approximately 1,500 individuals who lost their lives when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, following a collision with an iceberg. His wife, Madeleine, who was pregnant at the time, managed to survive.
The auction house Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, England, is showcasing various remarkable items this Saturday. Among them is a watch, as well as the valise that once held the famous violin played by the band leader during the Titanic's sinking, and a pocketbook detailing the ship's scheduled voyages. In 2013, the Titanic violin was sold for $1.7 million through the same auction house, making it the highest-selling item from the ship.
The valise belonging to Titanic bandmember and orchestra leader Wallace Hartley, which held the violin he played as the Titanic sank, is also for sale.
The valise belonging to Titanic bandmember and orchestra leader Wallace Hartley, which held the violin he played as the Titanic sank, is also for sale.
Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd
The auction house Henry Aldridge & Son's managing director, Andrew Aldridge, stated that the watch is expected to be sold for £100,000 to £150,000 ($125,000-$188,000) and the valise for £100,000 to £120,000 ($125,000-$150,000). Bidding starts on April 27 at midday local time (7 a.m. ET), as reported by CNN.
According to the auction house, the watch was discovered among Astor's personal belongings after the Titanic tragedy. Along with the watch, he had gold cufflinks, a diamond ring, money, and a pocketbook in his possession.
2JH1298 CAMERON,DICAPRIO,WINSLET, TITANIC, 1997
2JH1298 CAMERON,DICAPRIO,WINSLET, TITANIC, 1997
Maximum Film/Alamy Stock Photo
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After recovering Astor's body, his possessions were sent to his son, Vincent Astor. Vincent took the watch and fully restored it to working condition. In 1935, he gifted the watch to William Dobbyn IV's infant son as a christening present. William Dobbyn IV was John Jacob Astor's executive secretary, as reported by the auction house.
The Dobbyn family held onto the watch until the late 1990s before deciding to auction it off. An unnamed collector in the United States purchased the watch at the auction and is now the current seller. Since then, the watch has been showcased in various museums.
Aldridge mentioned that millions of people have viewed the item over time, which is fantastic.
At Saturday's auction, John Jacob Astor IV's cufflinks and the plan of the Titanic's first-class accommodation will be available. The cufflinks are estimated to be sold for £5,000 to £8,000 ($6,250-$10,000) and the accommodation plan for £20,000 to £30,000 ($25,000-$37,500).
CNN’s Taylor Nicioli contributed reporting. Per Nyberg and Chelsea J. Carter contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming auction of John Jacob Astor IV's gold watch and other Titanic memorabilia evokes a profound sense of history and tragedy. These artifacts offer a tangible connection to the ill-fated voyage and the lives lost that fateful night. The watch, discovered among Astor's personal belongings, serves as a poignant reminder of the wealth and privilege he possessed, while the valise that held the Titanic violin symbolizes the resilience and hope that prevailed even in the face of disaster.
The watch's journey from Astor's possession to its current status as a collectible highlights the enduring fascination with the Titanic and its legacy. The fact that it was restored by Astor's son and later gifted as a christening present adds a personal touch to its history. The auction presents an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire a piece of this iconic event, while also raising funds for the preservation of Titanic-related artifacts.
