With daylight saving time coming to an end, we compiled a list of some of the most famous clocks in the world — and it might surprise you to know some of them are affected by "fall back" and "spring forward."
Some on the list are famous clocks that have nothing to do with daylight saving time — though they do serve as crucial for time-keeping or basic functions of a clock.
Twice a year, the age-old practice of setting clocks back by one hour on the Sunday after Halloween or forward by one hour on the second Sunday in March generates grumbles around the world − except for in areas, provinces, states or countries that do not observe daylight saving time.
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Below is information about daylight saving time, commonly referred to as "daylight savings," why we change clocks twice a year and a list of famous clocks or iconic time-pieces that may or may not fall back and spring forward.
What is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time is the period of the year when clocks are moved one hour ahead, or "spring forward," according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to create "more sunlit hours in the evening during months when the weather is the warmest." We move clocks back one hour or "fall back" when we return to standard time. "The transition from ST to DST (standard time to daylight saving time) has the effect of moving one hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. The transition from DST to ST effectively moves one hour of daylight from the evening to the morning," the NIST site explains.
Daylight saving time, commonly (and incorrectly) referred to as "daylight savings," was formally introduced in the U.S. in 1918.
When does daylight saving time end in 2026? When is daylight savings in 2027?
Daylight saving time "ends" at 2 a.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 (Halloween weekend!), for "fall back."
Daylight saving time starts (again) at 2 a.m. ET Sunday, March 14, 2027, for "spring forward."
Daylight saving time then "ends" at 2 a.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 7, 2027, for "fall back.
What’s the most famous clock in the world?
Big Ben in London, England, is likely regarded as the most famous clock in the world. Though the clock is referred to as “Big Ben,” its name comes from the bells housed in the clock tower, renamed the Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is a four-faced chiming clock.
Photos of famous clocks like Big Ben, Prague Astronomical Clock
In addition to Big Ben, here are some well-known time pieces and the most famous clocks in the world. And since this is a story about time, we included some clocks that have no relation to daylight saving time, but they do serve as functioning timekeepers or have basic clock abilities — just for fun.
Famous clock: Prague Astronomical Clock in Czech Republic
Built in 1410, the Prague Astronomical Clock is mounted on the wall of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. “Four animated figures representing death, vanity, lust and greed flank the clock face, moving in response to Death ringing a bell on the hour,” according to a blog post on Clock Corner online. “Each hour, two shuttered windows above the face open and painted statues of the 12 Apostles move in procession past them,” the site states.
Famous clock: Grand Central Terminal in New York
Grand Central Terminal in New York is home to one of the most iconic clocks in the world and on the big screen. Several movies and TV shows over the years have featured this clock. Sometimes referred to as Grand Central Station, Grand Central Terminal is a train station on 42nd Street in New York City, serving as the original and destination for Metro-North Railroad trains from Westchester County, Putnam County and Dutchess County in New York and Fairfield County and New Haven County in Connecticut, according to USA TODAY Network research.
Famous clock: The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock in Sugarcreek, Ohio
There are clocks, and there are cuckoo clocks. Part of the charm of this time-telling invention is the routine scheduled appearance of a cuckoo on the hour or half-hour every day, seven days a week, 24/7. Most cuckoo clocks have sound, “cuckoo, cuckoo,” as if the iconic bird was chirping and telling time. In pop culture, the word cuckoo elicits various feelings related to crazy.
At Swiss Village in Sugarcreek, Ohio, travelers visit the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock to see the cuckoo bird pop out (every half hour), followed by Swiss polka music, according to visitsugarcreek.com. The cuckoo clock measures 23 feet tall and 24 feet wide.
Famous clock: Allen-Bradley Clock Tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Allen-Bradley Co. Clock Tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a four-faced clock, was once the largest in the world when introduced in 1962, according to the USA TODAY Network’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Each face was slightly more than 40 feet across and 260 feet above street level, so the time could be seen throughout the surrounding south side neighborhood.
Famous clock: World’s largest ceiling clock in Lexington, Kentucky
The next time you’re inside the Lexington Central Public Library in Lexington, Kentucky, look up: It’s home to the world’s largest ceiling clock. Located in the main rotunda, the clock spans 40 feet, weighs 2,000 pounds and features Roman numerals and 60 running horses that light up, one per minute, according to archive reporting from the Lexington Herald-Leader and the USA TODAY Network’s Louisville Courier Journal. A brass pendulum hangs five stories, about 70 feet, down from the center of the clock. Unveiled on New Year’s Eve in 2001, it was built by the Verdin Co.
Famous clock in NASCAR: Martinsville grandfather clock trophy in Virginia
As NASCAR notes on its site, NASCAR race winners at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, receive a grandfather clock for their effort — a coveted “time-honored tradition.” It’s one of the most unique trophies in sports with chimes every 15 minutes, and, over time, there have been several repeat winners, which means multiple grandfather clocks in one racer’s home, a nascar.com story states. NASCAR legend Richard Petty holds the record for most Martinsville wins at 15 but claimed 12 Martinsville grandfather clocks (since that tradition began after his first three wins). Darrell Waltrip won 11 Martinsville clocks with Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon clinching nine each.
Some repeat NASCAR race winners have gifted the Martinsville grandfather clocks to family and friends — since having multiple grandfather clocks that chime every 15 minutes in one home could be considered a little much.
Famous clock holiday: New Year’s Eve at Times Square in New York
Twice a year, daylight saving time elicits groans across the country — unless you live in an area or state that does not observe it. Whether you’re a fan of fall back or spring forward, or neither, the time changes occur, like clockwork. That’s in the vein of a holiday, however, no one really treats daylight saving time like a holiday.
New Year’s Eve, however, particularly at Times Square in New York City, is a global phenomenon for celebrating when the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1. Though there is no legendary clock, per se, Times Square lights up, and it’s a countdown until the ball-drop. Millions of people around the world tune in to the New Year’s Eve fun. And millions of people around the world are vocal about daylight saving time.
Famous clock: Customs House Tower or Boston Clock Tower in Massachusetts
The Marriott Boston Customs House, commonly referred to as the Boston Clock Tower in Boston, Massachusetts, serves as a 496-foot historic landmark in the financial district. Once regarded as Boston’s tallest building, the 34-story clock tower has four faces, each measuring about 22 feet wide. The 26th floor of the clock tower features an open-air observation deck, giving panoramic views of the Boston Harbor, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and downtown Boston.
Other ‘famous’ clocks known throughout the world
Though these famous clocks don’t tell time in the traditional sense, they are well-known around the world for their role in time-keeping or, in one case, impending doom.
- NASA Countdown Clock at Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida: This iconic countdown clock illustrates how long until a rocket launches into space.
- Doomsday Clock at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.: The metaphorical clock measures how close humanity is to destroying itself, with the minute hand indicating what world developments mean for the perceived likelihood of nuclear catastrophe.
Contributing: Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: As daylight saving time ends, see list of most famous clocks in the world
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