A luxurious gold watch, once belonging to the tycoon John Jacob Astorkilled in the fateful sinking of the Titanicis about to go up for auction at England. The house estimate Henry Aldridge & Sonin charge of the transaction, suggests that the piece could reach a value of up to R$1 million.
Recognized as the wealthiest passenger on board that iconic vessel, the American businessman, whose fortune amounted to US$87 million, a colossal sum at the time, was last witnessed enjoying a cigarette as the ship succumbed in the waters of Atlantic. Moments before, he had secured his wife’s place, Madeleine Talmage Astorin a lifeboat, but was prevented from boarding.
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While Madeleine survived the disaster, Astor’s body was found seven days after the sinking. The tycoon’s pocket watch was bequeathed to his son, Vincent Astor, 20 years old, who meticulously restored the 14-karat gold piece. Vincent continued to carry the watch until 1935, when he presented it to his godson, William Dobbyn.
Later, in the 1990s, a collector, whose identity remained hidden, acquired the Astor family heirloom. Included with the watch are a pair of gold cufflinks and John Jacob Astor’s first-class accommodation plan.
About the auction
The auction is being conducted by the renowned Henry Aldridge & Son, which specializes in artifacts related to the shipwreck. The auctioneer Andrew Aldridge expressed that the watch is one of the most memorable items from the Titanic that have ever passed through his hands. Bids for the piece can be placed until the 27th of this month.
Andrew Aldridge, the auctioneer responsible for the occasion, spoke to The globe that the watch is in perfect condition: “Not surprising considering who its original owner was. However, it spent seven days in the freezing waters of the Atlantic after the disaster and would almost certainly have stopped working and suffered all sorts of damage. It was obviously of great sentimental value to Vincent Astor, who restored it and used it for the next 23 years.”
* Under the supervision of Lilian Coelho
