History is tick, tick, ticking again now that the Ben Bridge Jeweler’s clock has returned downtown.
The vintage street clock got some fresh paint before being moved to the front of Ben Bridge’s new flagship store at 501 Pine St. — close to where it originally was in 1928.
But why are we talking about a clock?
This specific model is a relic from when Seattle became known as the “City of Clocks,” a reputation started by three German brothers who immigrated to Seattle and founded jewelry and watchmaking business Joseph Mayer & Brothers Co.
Over the course of his life, Joseph Mayer assembled 100 of these street clocks — 46 stayed right here in the Emerald City.
Mayer’s clocks are defined by two key characteristics: the dramatic ~20-ft height + four dials at pedestrian eye level around the top of the base.
At the time they were made in the 1920s, the infamous clocks sold for at least $3,600 (over $60,000 today).
Fifteen of these iconic clocks can be still be spotted in Seattle — which is more than New York City has... just sayin’.
