The world clock stands on Alexanderplatz and was erected in 1969 during the GDR regime. On September 30th 1969 the clock was officially handed over for the 20th anniversary of the GDR.
Designed by Erich John it was engineered and constructed by about 120 experts from various professions. In the bottom a stone mosaic is embedded, which depicts a compass rose. On a 2.7-meter-high column with a diameter of 1.5 meters, a three-piece cylinder is attached. 24 corners is the base, consequently the clock has 24 sides. Each of the sides corresponds to one of the 24 time zones of the earth. Over the world time the solar system is illustrated with the planets, seen as balls which rotate per minute in a simplified form. The world clock has a total height of 10 meters.
Beneath the clock in the ground Trabant gearbox which was rebuilt and a ball bearing of Rothe Erde company drive the clock. In 1997 the clock had been redeveloped by Hans-Joachim Kunsch (metal restorer). City names have been updated or added.
In the British pop duo Erasure the world clock plays an important role in their music video "Run To The Sun". The singer Andy Bell is seen dancing in the middle of the World Clock.
Among the Berliners there is the myth if a couple stops at midnight and hold hands they will stay together forever.
Adress: Alexanderplatz 1 , 10178 Berlin
Connections: S+U Bahnhof Alexanderplatz (S5, S7, S75, U5, U8, U2), Bus: 100, 200, 248 (S+U Bahnhof Alexanderplatz), N5, N65 (U Bahnhof Alexanderplatz), Tram: M2, M4, M5, M6 (S+U Bahnhof Alexanderplatz)
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