Colgate Clock

The Colgate Clock is a freestanding, octagonal clock on the banks of the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey. At 50 feet (15 meters) in diameter, it is one of the largest clocks in the world. The structure stands across from Liberty State Park and, together with the nearby Goldman Sachs Tower, forms a striking city landmark. The face of the clock points toward Manhattan, so it is easy to see from the opposite side of the river. At night, the entire structure, including the hands, is illuminated, which makes it an eye-catching sight even in the dark.

The clock's history goes back to 1906, when the first version was built as part of a large advertising sign on the roof of a warehouse. The octagonal design echoed the shape of the popular Colgate soap. In 1924, the original was replaced by today's larger clock and shipped to Indiana. After the company moved its headquarters and the complex was demolished in the 1980s, the clock was reinstalled at ground level as a freestanding structure. It now stands on a site that is slated for redevelopment as part of the transformation of the Jersey City waterfront.

For visitors, the Colgate Clock is one of the best-known sights in the region. Many tourists staying in Manhattan mistakenly believe the landmark is part of New York City, since it is so clearly visible from there. The clock has also gained cultural significance and appears, among other places, in the 2006 film Inside Man. It recalls the early soap industry and the commercial success of the Colgate company, which originally used the clock as advertising space.