look news india
A gold watch found with the body of the Titanic's richest passenger was auctioned in England on Saturday. This watch got a record price of 1.46 million dollars (about 12 crore Indian rupees) in the auction. This watch was found in the wardrobe of American business magnate John Jacob Astor. Jacob was one of those who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster.
Auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son said the record sum was the highest ever paid for items related to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The previous highest price paid for a Titanic artwork was for a violin, which sold for almost £1 million.
An American buyer bought this watch by bidding. Astaire was 47 when the Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912. At that time he was considered one of the richest men in the world. His net worth at the time was approximately $87 million (equivalent to several billion dollars today). A diamond ring and a watch with gold and diamond cufflinks were found with Astor's body after the sinking of the Titanic.
Jacob Astor's son also wore the watch
After the sinking of the Titanic he tried to escape in a lifeboat with his wife Madeleine. He died while helping his wife but his wife managed to survive the disaster. His wife Madeline was pregnant at that time. A week after the sinking of the Titanic, the body of magnate John Jacob Astor was found along with a watch among his personal belongings.
A statement released by the auction company said the watch was worn by Colonel Astor's son after it was returned to his family and that despite falling into the water the watch was in perfect condition. The Waltham Pocket Watch is made of 14 karat gold. Astor was one of the 1,500 people who died when the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912.