Story Highlights
- The 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch once owned by John Jacob Astor is set to be auctioned.
- The watch is expected to fetch up to $189,562.
- Other valuable items in the auction include Wallace Hartley’s violin case.
About the Gold Pocket Watch
The 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch, originally belonging to wealthy business magnate John Jacob Astor, is anticipated to reach a price of $189,562 in the upcoming auction by Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire.
John Jacob Astor, aged 47, was one of the world’s richest individuals at the time of the Titanic tragedy in 1912. He was a prominent member of the Astor family and had a net worth of approximately $87 million, equivalent to several billion dollars today.
According to auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, Astor initially underestimated the danger the ship was in but later assisted his wife into a lifeboat as the evacuation began after midnight.
The gold pocket watch, engraved with “JJA,” was discovered when Astor’s body was retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean seven days after the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
After being returned to the Astor family, the watch was fully restored and worn by John’s son Vincent before being passed on to William Dobbyn, the son of his father’s executive secretary.
Wallace Hartley’s Bag
Another significant item up for auction is Wallace Hartley’s bag. Hartley was a member of the band that played music as the Titanic sank to calm the passengers amidst the unfolding disaster.
Before going down with the ship, Hartley placed his violin back in its leather valise, which remained attached to him when his body was recovered days later. The violin case is estimated to be valued at over $151,650.
