The gold pocket watch worn by the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic has been sold for a staggering £900,000, surpassing its estimated value sixfold.

Originally projected to fetch £150,000, this prized possession of businessman John Jacob Astor exceeded expectations at an auction in Wiltshire.

After factoring in taxes and fees, the final price paid by the buyer amounted to £1.175 million, setting a new world record in the process.

Previously, the highest sum ever paid for a Titanic artifact was £900,000 for a violin, which, with associated taxes and fees, totaled £1.1 million. With this recent transaction, the gold pocket watch now claims the title of the most expensive single item from the ill-fated liner.

Another notable item from the auction was a violin case belonging to Wallace Hartley, the bandleader who famously continued playing as the ship sank. It fetched £290,000, or £366,000 after taxes and fees were included.

These maritime relics were among over 280 lots related to ocean liners auctioned in Devizes. The sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912, during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, remains one of the most tragic events in maritime history, claiming over 1,500 lives.

Both Astor and Hartley have become iconic figures associated with the Titanic disaster, their possessions serving as tangible links to that fateful night.

Both items were retrieved when the bodies of their owners were recovered from the water.

"Unlike many timepieces from the Titanic, which are frozen in time on the fateful night, the watch was restored and worn by Mr Astor's son, Vincent," said David Beddard, chairman of the British Titanic Society.

"To be able to see J.J. Astor's watch, knowing it was in his pocket as he put his young, pregnant bride in a lifeboat and stepped back, knowing he wasn't going to survive, is remarkable," he added.

Henry Aldridge & Sons A close up of Wallace Hartley's violin with an inscription showing it was a gift from his fiance, MariaHenry Aldridge

Mr Hartley went down with the ship, but not before he put his violin back in its leather valise, which he strapped to himself, possibly for buoyancy.

Days after the sinking, Mr Hartley's body was recovered with the bag still attached to him.

"The valise survived quite well, although water-damaged," said Mr Beddard.

"Many tests were carried out over the course of about five or six years before the violin and case were validated.

"The recovery of items from victims' bodies is always a contentious issue when it comes to collecting.

"However, we're very lucky with the Titanic community that even when items such as these are purchased by individuals, be they millionaires or just ordinary people, they seem to be very generous and they lease or loan these artefacts to go on display."

Mr Aldridge, managing director at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, said: "You've got over 2,200 people on that ship, so you have over 2,200 subplots and 2,200 chapters to the story.

"Each one of those people had an individual tale to tell.

"We are fascinated in her because of who was on board.

"You could argue that Titanic is the most famous ship that's ever sailed."

The violin, considered to be the "rarest and most iconic piece" of Titanic memorabilia, according to Mr Aldridge, was auctioned separately in 2013 and sold for a then record price of £900,000.

The bag and watch were auctioned alongside a rare order of service for Mr Hartley's funeral that was held on 18 May 1912 in Colne, Lancashire.

This is wonderful.
This is indeed a vintage collection.

Noted