Watch from Titanic Sold at Auction

A watch originally owned by a Titanic passenger was recently sold at an auction. The watch belonged to Sinai /ˈsaɪˌnaɪ/ Kantor, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who boarded the Titanic on its first and only voyage. Kantor was among the passengers who drowned when the ship sank. The silver pocket watch, along with other personal belongings, was later recovered from his body. Prior to its auction, the timepiece had been with Kantor’s family for more than 100 years. However, an anonymous descendant of Kantor recently sent the heirloom to an auction house called Heritage Auctions. The auctioned watch is completely rusty and damaged. Its silver cover is destroyed, and the hands are nearly ruined. But despite the watch’s dilapidated condition, its delicate designs are still clearly visible. This is why Heritage Auctions expected the watch to be sold for $20,000 or more. Eventually, the watch was sold for a huge sum. Collector and museum owner John Miottel /ˈmaɪoʊtɛl/ bought the watch for $57,500. He plans to showcase the watch in his museum, which already displays other Titanic artifacts. Miottel’s collection includes a pocket watch owned by Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger to board the Titanic. Miottel also obtained a timepiece that belonged to Oscar Woody, the ship's US postal clerk. Through his collection of different timepieces, Miottel wishes to share his love for history and horology, the art of making clocks and watches. In addition, he believes that the watches are more than just keepsakes. He is convinced that those watches let people peer into their owners’ personalities and status in life.