LONDON, UK: A gold watch found on the body of the richest Titanic passenger was auctioned in England for £1.17 million ($1.46 million) here on Saturday.
It was a record sum for an object linked to the tragic 1912 shipping disaster, according to auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son.
A buyer from the US won the bidding, smashing the auctioneer’s pre-sale estimate of between £100,000 and £150,000.
The watch, engraved with the initials JJA, belonged to the US business tycoon John Jacob Astor.
He was 47 when he died as the Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912. He was believed to be one of the richest men around the globe at the time.
Astor died after having helped his wife, Madeleine, on board one of the lifeboats. She survived the tragedy.
Body of the richest man at the time was found a week after the disaster, with the watch among his personal belongings.
“The watch itself was completely restored after being returned to Colonel Astor’s family and worn by his son,” a statement from the auction house said.
