Pocket watch of "Titanic" passenger John Jacob Astor auctioned for record sum of 1.4 million euros

At an auction in England, a watch belonging to the richest passenger on the "Titanic" went under the hammer for the equivalent of 1.4 million euros.

By Jörn Seidel and Melvin Schwertel

The gold watch belonged to US businessman John Jacob Astor . At the time of the Titanic disaster in 1912, he was considered one of the richest men in the world.

"Titanic" pocket watch more expensive than conductor's violin

As the British auction house Henry Aldridge & Son announced on Saturday, the piece of jewelry went to a private collector from the USA . This is the highest sum ever paid for an item related to the shipping disaster.

Until now, this title was held by a violin belonging to bandmaster Wallace Hartley , which he is said to have played during the sinking and which changed hands in 2013 at the same auction house for 1.1 million pounds.

Auctioneer Aldrige: Prices " absolutely unbelievable "

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described the prices achieved for Titanic memorabilia as "absolutely incredible," as he told the British news agency PA . They reflected not only the significance of the items themselves, but also an ongoing fascination with the Titanic.

Astor's wife survived

Astor was 47 years old when he died in the sinking of the luxury liner. He had previously helped his wife, Madeleine, onto a lifeboat. She survived.

Astor's body was found in the Atlantic a week after the sinking of the Titanic, along with the watch bearing his engraved initials. According to the auction house, the watch was fully restored after being returned to the family and worn by Astor's son.

The Titanic sank in April 1912 while en route from Southampton, England, to New York after colliding with an iceberg. More than 1,500 people died in the disaster.

Source: WDR.de