Enjoy it while visiting Jersey City in New Jersey
The Colgate Clock is an iconic octagonal timepiece overlooking the Hudson River near Exchange Place in Jersey City. With a diameter of 50 feet, it ranks among the largest clocks in the Western Hemisphere and serves as a symbol of the city’s industrial heritage. The clock’s distinctive red neon hand is visible for miles along the waterfront, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the New York metropolitan area.
Originally erected in 1924 to replace an earlier clock marking Colgate’s centennial in 1906, the clock spent decades atop the Colgate-Palmolive factory at 85-99 Hudson Street. The company, founded in Jersey City in 1864, operated its flagship manufacturing facility along the waterfront for more than a century. When Colgate vacated the factory in 1985, the clock was relocated to a ground-level position 1,300 feet south of its original location.
The clock stands as a tangible link to Jersey City’s industrial past. Colgate-Palmolive was one of the city’s largest employers from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, providing skilled manufacturing jobs for thousands of residents. The clock served as a landmark for workers arriving at the factory and for ships navigating the Hudson River corridor.
After the factory complex was demolished in 1985, the clock remained on an otherwise empty lot along the waterfront. Its survival reflected both civic attachment to the landmark and its utility as a navigation aid. The clock was designated a mandatory reporting point for aircraft operating below Class B airspace in the Hudson River VFR corridor, underscoring its prominence in the skyline.
In 2013, the clock underwent a comprehensive restoration and was outfitted with energy-efficient LED lighting. Goldman Sachs, which constructed its tower nearby, agreed to maintain the clock as part of the development agreement. The bench at the clock’s base bears the inscription: “The Colgate Clock: Marking the Passage of Time since 1908.”
The clock itself is the primary attraction, but its setting offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River. Visitors can photograph the clock with Lower Manhattan as a backdrop, especially striking at night when the illuminated red hand glows against the darkened sky. The surrounding Exchange Place district features a promenade perfect for walking while taking in the waterfront vistas. Historic buildings from the city’s commercial heyday line the nearby streets, and informational plaques detail Jersey City’s role in American commerce and immigration.
The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway passes directly by the Colgate Clock, connecting it to miles of continuous pathway along the river. Cyclists and pedestrians use the route daily, enjoying unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan across the water. The path connects to the Empire State Trail, making the clock part of a broader network of recreational routes.
The Colgate Clock is visible 24 hours a day from the waterfront promenade. Photography enthusiasts favor the early morning and late afternoon for the best natural lighting, while evening shots capture the illuminated hand against the city lights. The waterfront walkway is most lively during weekend afternoons when joggers, dog walkers, and tourists share the path.