Watch that belonged to Titanic’s richest passenger is auctioned for R$7.47 million
© Reproduction/Instagram:@henryaldridgeauctioneers
World
Titanic
1 hour ago
BY Minuto News
Recently, a gold watch belonging to the Titanic’s wealthiest passenger was auctioned for 1.17 million pounds sterling, equivalent to around R$7.47 million. The auction was conducted in the United Kingdom by renowned British house Henry Aldridge & Son, as reported by AFP.
The winning bid came from a buyer in the United States, exceeding the previous estimate which ranged between 100,000 and 150,000 pounds, approximately 614 thousand to 921 thousand reais. This feat set a new record for an object related to the famous ship that sank in the waters of the northern Atlantic, surpassing the mark previously achieved in 2013.
[Legenda]© Reproduction/Instagram:@henryaldridgeauctioneers
The highlight of this auction was not restricted to the aforementioned watch, as, at the same event, a violin was sold for 1.1 million pounds, around R$5.6 million, while the case that accompanied it was sold for 360 thousand pounds , approximately R$2.3 million.
The watch in question, engraved with the initials JJA, belonged to American businessman John Jacob Astor, who boarded the Titanic on the night of April 15, 1912, at the age of 47. Recognized as one of the richest men of the time, with an estimated fortune of 87 million dollars, Astor lost his life on the ship, after helping his wife, Madeleine, into one of the lifeboats.
A week after the tragedy, Astor’s body was recovered, and among his personal belongings was his pocket watch, made of 14-karat gold.
“The piece was completely restored after being returned to Colonel Astor’s family and was cared for by his son,” the auction house said. Also Read: Titanic’s richest man’s gold watch to be auctioned
SHARE THIS NEWS
