The watch, which belonged to businessman John Jacob Astor, was put up at auction in Wiltshire with an estimated price of £150,000.
It was equal to another Titanic relic, but the buyer will have to spend £1.175 million after taxes and fees. The entire price was referred to as a "world record" by auctioneer Andrew Aldridge.
The highest price ever paid for a Titanic artifact before was £1.1 million, which included taxes and fees at the time of sale in addition to the violin's £900,000 selling price.
As a result, the price of the watch is currently the highest for any one item from the doomed Titanic.
Legends surrounding the Titanic
An earlier auction brought in £290,000, or £366,000 when taxes and fees are included, for a violin case that belonged to the man who conducted the orchestra on deck as the ship went down in 1912.
The two items of nautical memorabilia were offered for sale in Devizes among over 280 other goods all connected to ocean ships.
On the evening of April 14, 1912, Titanic was traveling from Southampton to New York when it collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Over 1,500 lives were lost when it sank.
Legends surrounding the Titanic
An earlier auction brought in £290,000, or £366,000 when taxes and fees are included, for a violin case that belonged to the man who conducted the orchestra on deck as the ship went down in 1912.
The two items of nautical memorabilia were offered for sale in Devizes among over 280 other goods all connected to ocean ships.
On the evening of April 14, 1912, Titanic was traveling from Southampton to New York when it collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Over 1,500 lives were lost when it sank.
One of the most notorious maritime disasters in history, it served as an inspiration for Hollywood productions, plays, songs, and novels.
Aldridge, Henry & SonsWallace Hartley, who is renowned for using his violin to comfort terrified passengers as the ship sank, owned the bag.
The brown leather violin bag and the watch belonged to two individuals who became part of Titanic legend.
After packing his young wife Madeleine into a lifeboat and taking his final cigarette, Mr. Astor, 47, perished with the ship.
As the catastrophe took place all around them, Colne, Lancashire native Wallace Hartley and his eight-piece band are renowned for their ability to "play on" and comfort passengers.
The brown leather violin bag and the watch belonged to two individuals who became part of Titanic legend.
After packing his young wife Madeleine into a lifeboat and taking his final cigarette, Mr. Astor, 47, perished with the ship.
As the catastrophe took place all around them, Colne, Lancashire native Wallace Hartley and his eight-piece band are renowned for their ability to "play on" and comfort passengers.
When the owners' bodies were found in the water, both objects were recovered.
According to David Beddard, chairman of the British Titanic Society, "the watch was restored and worn by Mr. Astor's son, Vincent, unlike many Titanic timepieces, which are frozen in time on that fateful night."
It's amazing, he said, to be able to view J.J. Astor's watch and know that it was in his pocket when he stepped back, knowing he wouldn't make it, and placed his young, pregnant bride in a lifeboat.
In 2013, the renowned violin was offered for separate auction sale.
Over a decade ago, Wallace Hartley's violin sold for £900,000 at auction.
Mr. Hartley perished along with the ship, but not before returning his violin to its leather case, which he secured to his body, presumably for stability.
Mr. Hartley's body was found with the bag still on him a few days after the sinking.
Despite being water-damaged, the luggage fared fairly well, according to Mr. Beddard.
"The violin and case were certified after a lengthy series of tests conducted over a period of around five or six years.
When it comes to collecting, recovering objects from victims' bodies is never an easy task.
"But the Titanic community is extremely fortunate in that even when people buy items like these, whether they are millionaires or just regular people, they seem to be very giving and they lease or loan these artifacts to go on display."
Wallace Hartley's violin case was found tied to him after his body was found in the ocean.
"You've got over 2,200 people on that ship, so you have over 2,200 subplots and 2,200 chapters to the story," stated Mr. Aldridge, managing director of Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes.
Every single one of those folks has a unique story to share.
"We find her fascinating because of the people who were with her.
"One could contend that the most well-known ship to have ever sailed is the Titanic."
On April 14, 1912, the Titanic sank, resulting in the deaths of almost 1,500 people.
According to Mr. Aldridge, the violin is the "rarest and most iconic piece" of Titanic memorabilia. It was put up for sale separately in 2013 and brought in a record-breaking £900,000.
Along with a unique order of service for Mr. Hartley's burial, which took place in Colne, Lancashire, on May 18, 1912, the bag and watch were put up for sale.
According to David Beddard, chairman of the British Titanic Society, "the watch was restored and worn by Mr. Astor's son, Vincent, unlike many Titanic timepieces, which are frozen in time on that fateful night."
It's amazing, he said, to be able to view J.J. Astor's watch and know that it was in his pocket when he stepped back, knowing he wouldn't make it, and placed his young, pregnant bride in a lifeboat.
Mr. Hartley perished along with the ship, but not before returning his violin to its leather case, which he secured to his body, presumably for stability.
Mr. Hartley's body was found with the bag still on him a few days after the sinking.
Despite being water-damaged, the luggage fared fairly well, according to Mr. Beddard.
"The violin and case were certified after a lengthy series of tests conducted over a period of around five or six years.
When it comes to collecting, recovering objects from victims' bodies is never an easy task.
"But the Titanic community is extremely fortunate in that even when people buy items like these, whether they are millionaires or just regular people, they seem to be very giving and they lease or loan these artifacts to go on display."
"You've got over 2,200 people on that ship, so you have over 2,200 subplots and 2,200 chapters to the story," stated Mr. Aldridge, managing director of Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes.
Every single one of those folks has a unique story to share.
"We find her fascinating because of the people who were with her.
"One could contend that the most well-known ship to have ever sailed is the Titanic."
According to Mr. Aldridge, the violin is the "rarest and most iconic piece" of Titanic memorabilia. It was put up for sale separately in 2013 and brought in a record-breaking £900,000.
Along with a unique order of service for Mr. Hartley's burial, which took place in Colne, Lancashire, on May 18, 1912, the bag and watch were put up for sale.
SOURCE: BBC