Time keeps the world running. We check clocks constantly—on our phones, computers, and walls. But some clocks are more than just timekeepers. They’ve become symbols of cities, cultural landmarks, and feats of engineering.
From Gothic towers to floral displays and giant digital faces, here are ten of the most famous clocks around the world.
| # | Clock Name | Location | Notable Features | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Ben | London, England | Iconic bell tower with four 7m-wide clock faces; extremely accurate | 1859 |
| 2 | Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower | Mecca, Saudi Arabia | World’s tallest clock tower; largest clock face; 2 million LED lights | 2012 |
| 3 | Prague Astronomical Clock | Prague, Czech Republic | Oldest working astronomical clock; animated hourly display | 1410 |
| 4 | Floral Clock | Niagara Parks, Canada | Made of up to 16,000 flowers; 12m diameter; seasonal designs | 1950 |
| 5 | Cosmo Clock 21 | Yokohama, Japan | World’s largest digital clock on a Ferris wheel; panoramic views | 1989 (relocated 1999) |
| 6 | Spasskaya Tower | Moscow, Russia | Ceremonial Kremlin entrance; iconic chimes; part of Red Square | 1491 (clock added 1707) |
| 7 | Cevahir Shopping Center Clock | Istanbul, Turkey | Second-largest clock face; located in glass roof of mall | 2005 |
| 8 | Rathaus-Glockenspiel | Munich, Germany | Animated figurines perform daily historical scenes; 43 bells | 1908 |
| 9 | Strasbourg Cathedral Clock | Strasbourg, France | Astronomical features; parade of Apostles; daily rooster crow | 1843 (site dates to 14th century) |
| 10 | Times Square Clock | New York City, USA | Chevrolet Clock display; famous New Year’s Eve countdown | Varies (modern digital era) |
1. Big Ben – London, England
Big Ben is arguably the most famous clock in the world. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, the term “Big Ben” technically refers to the Great Bell inside the clock tower, not the clock itself. However, most people use the name to describe the entire structure.
The tower was completed in 1859 and renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Each of the four clock faces is 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter and made up of over 300 glass panels. The minute hands are 14 feet (4.2 meters) long.
Big Ben is not just a beautiful structure. It’s also famously accurate, and keepers even use old pennies to fine-tune the mechanism by adjusting the pendulum’s speed.
2. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Towering above the holy city of Mecca, the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower is part of a government-owned complex known as the Mecca Royal Hotel. Standing at 1,972 feet (601 meters), it’s one of the tallest buildings in the world and has the largest clock face ever built.
Each of the four clock faces measures 141 feet (43 meters) in diameter and is visible from up to 16 miles (25 kilometers) away. The clock is lit by two million LED lights and topped with a spire bearing a golden crescent.
This clock isn’t just massive—it’s also symbolic. It reflects Islamic design and includes high-tech features like a prayer call system and lunar observation deck.
3. Prague Astronomical Clock – Prague, Czech Republic
Installed in 1410, the Prague Astronomical Clock—also known as the Orloj—is the oldest working astronomical clock in the world. It’s located in the Old Town Square and is one of Prague’s most visited attractions.
Every hour, crowds gather to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles and other animated figures, including a skeleton that represents death. The clock shows more than just the time—it also displays the phases of the moon, the position of the sun, and the current zodiac sign.
Its combination of science, art, and engineering makes it a true masterpiece of medieval innovation.
4. Floral Clock – Niagara Parks, Canada
The Floral Clock near Niagara Falls is a one-of-a-kind timepiece that blends nature and engineering. Built in 1950, it features a working clock face made entirely of seasonal flowers—up to 16,000 plants at a time. The design changes twice a year, making each visit unique.
Ontario Hydro maintains the clock mechanism, while the horticulture team at Niagara Parks handles the flower arrangements. The clock is 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter, and a chime sounds every quarter-hour.
This clock proves that timekeeping can be beautiful as well as functional.
5. Cosmo Clock 21 – Yokohama, Japan
The Cosmo Clock 21 combines fun with precision. This giant Ferris wheel in Yokohama doubles as the largest digital clock in the world. Originally built in 1989 for the Yokohama Expo, it stands 369 feet (112.5 meters) tall.
Riders on the Ferris wheel get a spectacular view of Tokyo Bay, especially on clear days. The clock’s digital display is mounted at the center of the wheel, making it visible from various parts of the city.
In 1999, the wheel was dismantled and relocated within the same amusement park to a more central location. Despite its age, it remains one of Japan’s most beloved landmarks.
6. Kremlin Spasskaya Tower – Moscow, Russia
The Spasskaya Tower is one of the Kremlin’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in 1491 by Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari, it serves as the ceremonial entrance to the Kremlin and faces Red Square.
Its clock was added in the 17th century, with its chimes becoming an essential part of Russian national identity. The tower’s 20-foot (6-meter) hands and traditional bells mark each hour. The chimes are even broadcast live on national television during New Year’s Eve.
Traditionally, people entering the Kremlin through this gate were required to remove their hats—a symbol of respect for the Russian state.
7. Cevahir Shopping Center Clock – Istanbul, Turkey
Located in Istanbul’s Şişli district, the Cevahir Shopping Center houses the second-largest clock face in the world, second only to Mecca’s Abraj Al-Bait. This massive timepiece is set into the glass roof of the mall.
Each numeral stands 10 feet (3 meters) tall, making the clock visible throughout the entire complex. Opened in 2005, the shopping center includes more than 300 stores, and the clock adds a striking visual feature to the building’s modern design.
While many mall visitors may glance at it for the time, the Cevahir clock also serves as a giant piece of functional art.
8. Rathaus-Glockenspiel – Munich, Germany
This animated clock is part of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Munich’s Marienplatz. Built in 1908, the Glockenspiel features 43 bells and 32 life-sized figurines that perform two historical scenes each day.
At 11 a.m. (and also 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in summer), the figures come to life for a 12–15 minute performance. The first act re-creates the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V, complete with a joust, while the second portrays the Schäfflerstanz, or coopers’ dance—a tradition said to have started during a plague in the 1500s.
It’s one of Europe’s most charming clock attractions and continues to delight tourists and locals alike.
9. Strasbourg Cathedral Clock – Strasbourg, France
The astronomical clock at Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral is the third installed in this location. The first was built in the 14th century, and the current one was completed in 1843. It remains a marvel of mechanical design.
The clock includes a perpetual calendar, planetary movements, and a daily parade of the Apostles. At 12:30 p.m. each day, life-sized mechanical figures of Christ and the Apostles appear. A rooster also crows three times, nodding to the biblical story of Peter’s denial.
This masterpiece reflects both Renaissance craftsmanship and deep religious symbolism.
10. Times Square Clock – New York, USA
Times Square isn’t home to a single famous tower clock like others on this list. Instead, it features a collection of time-themed displays, most notably the Chevrolet Clock and the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
The Chevrolet Clock is an analog timepiece projected digitally on a building facade, visible to millions of visitors daily. Meanwhile, Times Square becomes the world’s most-watched clock on December 31st when the ball drop counts down to midnight.
This space in the heart of New York City may be chaotic, but it’s also where time, culture, and celebration come together.
Final Thoughts
Clocks do more than just tell time. These ten world-famous clocks serve as symbols of culture, history, art, and innovation. Whether they chime every hour, dazzle with lights, or tell stories through moving figurines, they continue to capture imaginations.
From London’s historic Big Ben to the high-tech marvels of Mecca and Yokohama, these clocks remind us that while time moves forward, the places that track it can become timeless landmarks.