Geschichte der berühmten John Jacob Astros Taschenuhr aus der Titanic - Sammler-Uhren

History of the famous John Jacob Astor pocket watch from the Titanic

Gold pocket watch of the richest "Titanic" passenger auctioned for millions

This piece of history was worth a record sum to one bidder: equivalent to approximately 1.4 million euros, the gold watch is the most expensive "Titanic" souvenir. Its owner was among the wealthiest people in the world in 1912.

It belonged to the richest passenger on the "Titanic" and was recovered from the water with its deceased owner: A gold pocket watch has fetched a record price at an auction in Great Britain. The piece, which once belonged to the millionaire John Jacob Astor IV, was sold at auction for 1.175 million pounds (approximately 1.4 million euros), as reported by the British news agency PA. According to the report, the highest bidder was a private collector from the USA.

According to the auction house Henry Aldridge & Son, based in the English county of Wiltshire, the watch is thus the most valuable "Titanic" souvenir ever auctioned. Previously, this title was held by a violin that was played during the sinking, which changed hands at the same auction house in 2013 for 1.1 million pounds.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described the prices achieved for "Titanic" souvenirs as "absolutely incredible." They reflect not only the significance of the objects themselves, but also an enduring fascination with the ship that sank in 1912.

The history of John Jacob Astor IV's pocket watch is closely linked to the recovery of his body after the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Contrary to many myths surrounding the ship, this is not an object recovered from the seabed, but a personal item that Astor was carrying when he died in the water.

Here are the details on the history and background of this watch:

The recovery and documentation

John Jacob Astor IV, one of the richest men on board, perished in the sinking. His body was recovered in the Atlantic on April 22, 1912—seven days after the disaster—by the CS Mackay-Bennett, one of the ships sent to search for victims.

During the identification and inventory of his possessions by the authorities, various items he was carrying were documented. The official records of the CS Mackay-Bennett explicitly list a gold pocket watch alongside other items such as cufflinks, a diamond ring, and a gold pen.

Source: AI, Der Spiegel

Back to blog

Leave a comment