World Clock at Alexanderplatz in East Berlin – monochrome by Silva Wischeropp

This breathtaking cityscape was captured on the afternoon of 18 August 2023 using a Nikon D800 (lens: NIKKOR 24.0–70.0 mm f/2.8).
This urban scene, featuring the landmark of East Berlin, is perfect for display in living and working spaces, lending any room an unforgettable atmosphere. The World Clock was installed on Alexanderplatz during the GDR era. Since then, the striking clock has been a popular meeting place for Berliners and tourists alike. The World Clock was designed by industrial designer Erich John as part of the socialist redevelopment of Alexanderplatz. After nine months of construction, it was unveiled to the public on 30 September 1969. The full name, Urania World Clock, derives from the fact that a ‘Urania column’ (weather column) was found during demolition work on Alexanderplatz. This discovery gave John the decisive idea for the World Clock.

The World Clock consists of a cylinder with 24 corners, standing on a column. Each of the corners of the rotating cylinder is clad in etched aluminium plates and coloured with enamel. These 24 segments schematically represent the Earth’s 24 time zones. The names of the most important cities in each time zone have been milled into the aluminium plates. An hour ring rotates inside the cylinder, allowing the current times in the respective time zones to be read from the outside. At the top of the World Time Clock is a simplified model of the solar system. In a room beneath the clock, a converted Trabant gearbox from the GDR era still drives the hour ring. The floor at the foot of the World Time Clock has been designed with a mosaic in the shape of a compass rose. Furthermore, additional cities have been added to the aluminium plates.
The World Clock has been a listed building since July 2015.