Valuable Clock Starbucks NYC Discussion — WatchProSite Forum Digest

patrick_y · 2022-03-03T23:03:31Z

Discover the Rudolph de Harak digital clock at 200 Water Street, NYC. Patrick_y explores this massive public art installation and its unique time display.

patrick_y

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

40 replies7135 views5 photos

Patrick_y, a seasoned explorer of New York City, shares his recent discovery of a monumental digital clock at 200 Water Street. This article delves into the clock's unique design and history, offering a fresh perspective on a public art installation that millions have passed by without a second glance. Patrick_y's detailed observations highlight the artistic and engineering marvel of this often-overlooked timepiece.

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Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people have seen this popular clock. But despite frequenting New York City since a young age, I never really noticed it. But the past two times I've visited NYC, I've stayed in the Downtown area. I normally stay in Mid-Town, but the hotel rooms at the big hotels were too expensive, over $1000 a night! So I stayed in the downtown neighborhood where rates were considerably lower. I happened to discover this clock one day while I was walking around the downtown neighborhood.

The 45 by 50 foot digital clock was created by American artist Rudolph de Harak, and is a part of 200 Water Street, a 32-story mixed use building (offices and residential) owned by New York University. Installed in 1971, this three-story high clock consists of 72 square sections, each containing a number from 00 to 59, using red colors to tell the hour, blue for the minutes, and green for the seconds.

The clock has no specific value, but would cost over a million dollars to install today (best estimate). Starbucks is a tenant of the building, and didn't install the clock themselves, the clock was already there before Starbucks became a tenant.

The time is 11h:21m:19s but what happens when the green seconds meets the blue minute?

Time is 11:21:21 Ahh, the seconds and minutes are the same color, green.

Time is 11h:21m:22s

I thought it was pretty cool. I was in a rush to get somewhere. But even I had to pause for a moment to absorb the beauty and scale of this clock! Too bad, I only had "A New York Minute!"

Key Points from the Discussion

The digital clock at 200 Water Street, installed in 1971, was created by American artist Rudolph de Harak. It measures 45 by 50 feet and uses red for hours, blue for minutes, and green for seconds, with 72 square sections displaying numbers from 00 to 59.
The building at 200 Water Street is owned by New York University and was likely managed by an external company at the time of the post. The clock predates Starbucks' tenancy in the building.
The downtown NYC area, while busy during the day, becomes notably quiet at night, which could be appealing for residents. The area offers significant architectural interest, including the Frank Gehry apartment tower, and various cultural attractions.
Despite a booming market, watch retailers like Cellini faced frustrations due to lack of inventory and delayed shipments, leading to impatient customers even as sales figures were strong.
The cost of Laderach chocolate varies significantly by location; it is considerably cheaper in European cities like Geneva, Vienna, or Berlin compared to New York City.
Other forum members expressed interest in sharing their own discoveries of unique public clocks, indicating a broader appreciation for such installations.

The Discussion

mdg

Mar 3, 2022

I know of a tree that needs trimming : )

patrick_y

Mar 3, 2022

After the black Porsche drives away, the trimmers will come!

mdg

Mar 3, 2022

Or you could always look down instead of up...

www.historyofnewyork.org

patrick_y

Mar 3, 2022

Hmm. I might've walked right past/over that one and not known it...

I definitely have walked on Broadway in Downtown. I'll keep an eye for it next time!

amarelli

Mar 3, 2022

Used to live there

The white building behind the Stsrbucks used to be an NYU dorm. We used to wait for the bus to campus right in front of that clock. So strange to see it admired.

patrick_y

Mar 3, 2022

Yup! That was a dormitory! It's now a mixed use office building and luxury apartment building.

To my knowledge, NYU still owns the building, but it's being managed by an external company now. They probably had this big clock so students would remember not to be late for class! (joking) Thanks for commenting! What are the chances that someone who used to live in the building would comment on the post!

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