The pocket watch is estimated to sell for between £800,000 - £1 million (NZD$2.3m). Photo: Henry Aldridge & Son
An "iconic" pocket watch recovered from the body of a first class passenger who died during the Titanic's sinking is estimated to grab up to $2.3 million at auction.
According to UK auction house Henry Aldridge & Son, the watch is "quite simply one of the most important and iconic Titanic items ever to be offered for sale".
It is estimated to sell for between £800,000 - £1 million (NZD$2.3m).
The 18 carat Jules Jurgensen pocket watch belonged to Isidor Straus and is listed as part of his belongings in the official body recovery list.
According to Discover Titanic, Isidor and his wife Ida were one of few first class couples who died in the sinking.
Isidor was offered a seat on a lifeboard due to his age but refused, saying he would not go before other men. Ida refused to leave her husband, saying "I will not be separated from my husband; as we have lived, so will we die together".
The watch is engraved with the initials of IS and the date of 6 February 1888. Photo: Henry Aldridge & Son
Discover Titanic said the couple were last seen sitting on deck chairs next to each other before the ship went down.
According to the description of the watch on the auction house's website, the watch is engraved with the initials of IS and the date of 6 February 1888.
"This date marked his 43rd birthday. 1888 was also an important year in his life as in 1888, he and his brother Nathan became full partners of the iconic Macy's Department store in New York."
The auction house said the watch "quite simply represents one of the finest and rarest objects from the Titanic story in existence".
"A piece which was a treasured personal possession from one of the most respected and high profile men from the Titanic story.
"At the turn of the 20th century, a pocket watch was one of the closest things to the heart of a gentleman of the era, and this watch embodies this as a gift from one half of the most famous couple on the Titanic to the other."
The auction takes place on 22 November.
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