Timekeepers Of The City: Exploring NYC’s Iconic Clocks
Source: The Empire City Wire
Exploring NYC’s Clocks
New York City is a place where time feels both fleeting and infinite. Amid the chaos of its streets, iconic clocks stand as guardians of history, architecture, and the rhythm of daily life. These timekeepers, from towering facades to hidden treasures, are as much a part of the city’s identity as its skyscrapers and bridges.
Before the advent of cell phones, personal watches, and digital screens, public clocks in New York City were essential for keeping the city on schedule. In a bustling metropolis where people relied on trains, trolleys, and strict work hours, these clocks provided a shared sense of time and order. Positioned prominently on buildings, in train stations, and even embedded in sidewalks, they were accessible landmarks that ensured everyone—whether a commuter rushing to catch a train or a worker heading to a shift—could stay synchronized.
Today, with time readily available at the tap of a screen, public clocks have largely shifted from practical tools to decorative icons. They now serve as nostalgic reminders of the city's history, blending function with artistry and providing a timeless connection to an era when looking up at the clock was a daily ritual.
Source: The Empire City Wire
Lenox Hill Hospital Clock
The clock at Lenox Hill Hospital, located at 100 East 77th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, is a charming and practical fixture in the bustling Upper East Side. Positioned conveniently at the Lexington Avenue and 77th Street downtown bus stop, it serves as an invaluable resource for passersby and commuters alike.
Whether you're rushing to catch a bus, walking to an appointment, or simply passing through the neighborhood, the clock provides a reliable and easy way to check the time, especially for those with a dead phone or a watch.
This timeless feature not only complements the historic character of the area but also enhances the convenience of everyday life in the city. Surrounded by Lenox Hill Hospital's sophisticated facilities, the clock is a small yet thoughtful amenity that reflects New York City's knack for blending utility with urban charm. For patients, visitors, and locals navigating the neighborhood, it’s a quiet reminder of how small details can make life a little easier in a fast-paced city.
Source: Jim Henderson/ Public Domain
The Four-Faced Clock of 79th Street
Perched atop a stately building on 79th Street, this four-faced clock is a marvel of precision and symmetry. Visible from multiple directions, it has become a landmark for Upper East Side residents navigating the bustling neighborhood. The clock’s elegant design harks back to a time when public clocks were essential for keeping city dwellers punctual in the pre-smartphone era. Its steady hands, visible against the city’s ever-changing skyline, symbolize continuity in a place where change is constant.
The 79th Street clock has stood as a steadfast beacon atop its building, weathering decades of change as various vendors have occupied the space below. Most notably, the beloved Italian specialty store Agata & Valentina now resides in the building and has taken on the responsibility of preserving this iconic timepiece. Recognizing the clock’s historical and cultural significance to the Upper East Side, the store has invested in its restoration and upkeep, ensuring it continues to operate smoothly. This commitment reflects Agata & Valentina’s dedication to the community, seamlessly blending the past with the present while maintaining this timeless symbol of the neighborhood.
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo by Billie Grace Ward CC BY 2.0
Barthman’s Sidewalk Clock
Hidden in plain sight at the intersection of Broadway and Maiden Lane in the Financial District lies one of New York’s most unique timepieces: the Barthman sidewalk clock.
Embedded in the pavement outside the former Barthman Jewelers, this brass and glass creation has been marking time for pedestrians since the late 19th century. Unlike grandiose tower clocks, Barthman’s clock is a humble, understated treasure. It invites those rushing by to pause for a moment and reflect—an ironic nod to the fast-paced environment of Wall Street.
The clock was not always in good condition and sometimes filled with condensation so you could not even make out that it was a clock, but it has been restored multiple times over the decades, and it continues to tick, embodying the durability of New York’s spirit.
Source: The Empire City Wire
The Clock Of Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal isn’t just a hub for trains—it’s a sanctuary for clock lovers. The most famous of its timepieces is the opulent four-faced clock atop the central information booth.
The Grand Central clock, perched atop the central information booth, is steeped in legend and lore, often rumored to be crafted from opal and valued at an extraordinary price. This enduring mystique has elevated the clock to more than just a timekeeper; it’s a cultural icon and a beloved meeting point for New Yorkers and travelers alike. However, a closer look at historical records complicates this glamorous narrative. A 1954 New York Times article detailing the restoration of the clock describes its faces as being made of “glass,” not opal. This discrepancy has fueled speculation and debate over the years, with some embracing the opulent myth and others adhering to the documented reality. Regardless of its material, the clock remains a timeless symbol of Grand Central Terminal’s elegance and the enduring allure of New York City.
The clock itself is a landmark inside of a landmark as many friends and families use it as a north star for reconnecting before boarding a train or travelling somewhere.
High above the main concourse, another clock adorns the iconic Tiffany glass window, facing 42nd Street. This colossal timepiece overlooks Midtown Manhattan like a watchful eye, connecting the architectural splendor of the terminal to the city’s ceaseless motion.
Source: Jim Henderson/ Public Domain
Saratoga Condominium Clock Face
The Saratoga clock, situated on the property of a condominium at the corner of 75th Street and First Avenue, adds both functionality and charm to the intersection.
The Saratoga is a luxury condominium built in 1984 by Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron standing an impressive 40 stories high with approximately 181 residential units and 2 commercial units. The building has apartments ranging in size from the original studio, one, two and three bedroom configurations and a small number of larger combined apartments.
Positioned prominently on the corner, this freestanding clock provides passersby with a convenient opportunity to check the time while complementing the surrounding urban landscape.
Photo by The Empire City Wire
The Waldorf Astoria Clock
New York's iconic Waldorf Astoria is now back in 2025, fully restored and ready to reclaim its place atop Manhattan's luxury hotel hierarchy. After eight years and a staggering $2 billion makeover, the landmark at 301 Park Avenue officially reopened its doors in mid-July, months ahead of its originally projected September relaunch.
The Waldorf Astoria Clock epitomizes Gilded Age luxury and served as the centerpiece for one of the city's most exclusive meeting places. It stands directly in the middle of the hotel’s lobby shining brightly and capturing the attention of anyone around as a very striking centerpiece to the room.
This towering, two-ton timepiece was originally crafted by the Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Company of London for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and subsequently purchased by John Jacob Astor IV for the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel. The magnificent clock is richly decorated, featuring relief portraits of six American Presidents and Queen Victoria of England, and is topped by a gold miniature of the Statue of Liberty (a later addition).
Having anchored the lobbies of both the original and the Park Avenue hotel locations for decades, it became a legendary site for countless rendez-vous. The clock’s four faces display the time in New York, Madrid, Paris, and Greenwich, cementing its status as an international beacon of elegance and a meticulously restored historical treasure.
Photo by The Empire City Wire
New York Botanical Garden Rolex Clock
Nestled in the heart of the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) stands as a verdant sanctuary amidst the urban landscape of New York City. Spanning 250 acres, this National Historic Landmark offers visitors a harmonious blend of horticultural beauty, scientific research, and educational outreach.
The New York Botanical Garden Rolex Clock offers a sophisticated juxtaposition of horological precision and natural art. This timepiece, synonymous with the excellence of the luxury watchmaker, is nestled within the expansive, lush landscape of the Bronx botanical garden. As a dedicated partner to the NYBG, Rolex contributes a marker of timeless, high-quality engineering to a setting dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of living art.
The clock serves not only as a functional instrument for visitors navigating the garden’s extensive grounds but also as an aesthetically pleasing landmark. Its clean, distinguished design reflects the brand's renowned craftsmanship, creating a compelling visual experience that marries the concept of meticulously kept time with the organic, cyclical flow of nature and horticulture.
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
The Trump Tower Clock
The clock outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, created by the Electric Time Company, provides a modern counterpoint in the heart of Midtown's commercial corridor. Located on the sidewalk in front of the 68-story mixed-use skyscraper, the nearly 16-foot-tall, four-sided gilded clock is part of the streetscape surrounding the distinctive building.
While the tower itself, completed in 1983, is known for its gleaming glass facade, angular silhouette, and the dramatic atrium waterfall, the clock stands as a functional, pedestrian-level amenity. It marks the time at one of Manhattan's most prestigious and high-traffic intersections, reflecting the building's own high-profile status and its position as a defining symbol in the city's modern real estate history.
Despite the highly polarizing nature of its namesake, who is arguably one of the most notoriously controversial political figures in modern American history, this clock earns its inclusion in this list on New York City timepieces purely on its merits as an urban fixture.
Photo by The Empire City Wire
The Macy’s Department Store CLock
Macy's Herald Square is the flagship store of the Macy's department store chain, recognized as the largest department store in the United States and one of the largest in the world, spanning approximately 2.5 million square feet across nearly an entire city block in Midtown Manhattan. Built in 1902 and designated a National Historic Landmark, this iconic, multi-story retail complex is famous for its elaborate holiday window displays, the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade terminus, and a mix of historic architecture and modern retail offerings.
The department store features an important, traditional timepiece marking its historic main entrance on 34th Street. This exterior clock is a large, ornate feature set into the Beaux-Arts facade, designed to complement the store's grand, imposing architecture.
Positioned prominently above the central entryway, the clock is housed within an elaborate, gold-toned or decorative surround, giving it a distinctive, vintage department store look that serves as a historic meeting point for shoppers. It reinforces Macy's identity as a classic New York institution and is a key visual element of the historic building's facade, particularly alongside the store's signature signage and seasonal window displays.
Timeless Icons in a Timeless City
New York’s clocks are more than just functional—they are monuments to its culture and history. They’ve witnessed the city’s evolution, marking time through eras of prosperity, struggle, and transformation. Whether it’s the understated charm of Barthman’s sidewalk clock, the grandeur of Grand Central’s timepieces, or the steadfast presence of the four-faced clock on 79th Street, each has its own story to tell.
There are more clocks in NYC than are able to be counted and there is no official list on the amount of and number of clocks but this list includes just a handful of notable examples.
These clocks remind us of the beauty in precision, the art in function, and the importance of moments in a city that never stops moving. So next time you find yourself rushing through New York, take a moment to look up—or down—and let the city’s timeless guardians remind you to pause.
