Gaby
The exquisite Waltham pocket watch, crafted from 14-karat gold and engraved with “JJA,” once belonged to John Jacob Astor, a businessman, billionaire, influential figure in American bourgeois aristocracy, inventor, and writer. His fortune was estimated at around $87 million, which today would be equivalent to several billion dollars.
Just seven days after the sinking of the Titanic, Astor’s body, along with this golden artifact, was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. The watch was then handed over to his 20-year-old son from a previous marriage, Vincent.
Recently, a private American collector purchased this valuable item at a British auction held by Henry Aldridge & Son. The luxurious watch fetched a price of £1.2 million, or $1.5 million (this amount includes buyer’s premiums and taxes).
The previous record for Titanic artifacts sold was £1.1 million ($1.4 million). That was the price for a violin that was played during the ship’s sinking, which was sold at the same auction house in 2013, as reported by The Guardian.
Why This Pocket Artifact Is So Valuable
This gold watch witnessed one of the most horrific tragedies of the 20th century—the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred from April 14 to 15, 1912. The watch’s owner perished along with the ship at the age of 47, after placing his pregnant 18-year-old wife, Madeleine Force, into a lifeboat.
Prior to this, the couple, who had recently married, had been traveling through various countries. Their journey across the Atlantic on the Titanic was meant to be a beautiful conclusion to their grand adventure as they awaited their first child.
The Astors traveled on the Titanic with their servants and their dog, Kitty. When the iceberg struck the ship’s hull, splitting it like a walnut shell, panic ensued among passengers and crew. The millionaire placed his wife, along with a maid and a nurse, into lifeboat number 4. Realizing he was parting with Madeleine forever, he gave her his gloves. Survivors recalled that in his final moments, he stood on the bridge wing with his dog, smoking a cigarette.
This and other stories of those who perished or survived have inspired artists for 112 years, leading to the creation of literary, musical, and cinematic works.
According to auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, the incredible sums generated from the sale of Titanic artifacts not only highlight their significance but also underscore the endless allure of the legendary ship’s stories. In fact, there are 2,200 narratives that recount these memorable events.
