An auction of John F. Kennedy memorabilia by a man who was enthralled by the former president is bringing in big bucks.

The Omega watch JFK wore at his inauguration sold for $250,000. It was among hundreds of items that belonged to JFK and his wife Jacqueline, reports BBC News.

Other items for sale at the three-day auction in New York include rocking chairs, two sailboats, passports and a hotline telephone used by JFK.

Most of the items were owned by Robert White, who was fascinated with President Kennedy and became friends with JFK's secretary after his 1963 assassination.

Don Carter won the bidding on JFK's 1951 passport, paying $54,000. He also bought Jacqueline Kennedy's 1953 passport for $56,500.

"I came of age during the Kennedy administration, and my wife and I were big fans of the Kennedys," he was quoted as saying by TheAssociated Press

"For young adults of my age he represented the greatest hope for the future of America."