Luxurious Gold Watch of Titanic Millionaire Astor IV Up for Auction at Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire

A luxurious gold watch once belonging to John Jacob Astor IV, a prominent member of the wealthy Astor family who was also the wealthiest passenger aboard the infamous Titanic, is set for auction alongside other notable items from the ill-fated ship at Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, England. The sale will take place on April 27 with bidding starting midday local time (7 a.m. ET). Astor perished along with around 1,500 others when the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912; his wife Madeleine survived their tragic fate as she was pregnant at the time of the disaster. The watch is expected to fetch between £100,000 ($125,000) and £150,000 ($188,000), while Astor’s valise will sell for somewhere in-between these figures. A pocketbook listing the scheduled journeys of the Titanic is also set to be sold as part of this auction. The violin played by the ship’s band leader during its final moments was previously sold via Henry Aldridge & Son back in 2013, fetching $1.7 million and earning it a spot on record books for being the most expensive item ever retrieved from the Titanic’s wreckage site. The watch is among Astor’s personal effects recovered following his demise during that infamous incident. Additionally, gold cufflinks, a diamond ring, cash, and another pocketbook were found in close proximity to his lifeless body upon discovery at the shipwreck sight; all items ultimately ending up with Vincent Astor who restored the watch so it could function again. In 1935, he gave this cherished piece as a gift during baptism proceedings for William Dobbyn IV’s infant son – John Jacob Astor’s former executive secretary. The item has since been displayed in various museums around the world and viewed by millions of people over time. Cufflinks believed to be belonging to Mr. Astor, together with a first-class accommodation plan on board Titanic are also set for auction this Saturday at Henry Aldridge & Son’s premises; they will sell for between £5,000 ($6,250) and £8,000 ($10,000), as well as a first-class accommodation plan which is expected to fetch somewhere in the region of £20,000 – £30,000($25,000-$37,500).