Thames clock tower ticking again after years of silence

Published on 28 November 2025

After four years of being stuck at 4:34, Thames’ iconic clock tower is finally telling the right time again.

The clock, at the corner of Pollen St and Mary St, was gifted to the town by the Thames Lions Club in 1968. It since fell silent due to an outdated system and stopped for stretches of time since 1988.

Thames-Coromandel District Council and Thames Community Board worked closely with building owners GDC Buildings and received $21,000 from Pub Charity and Trillian Trust to fully cover the restoration and parts, with no cost to ratepayers.

Martin Cheer, the Managing Director of Pub Charity says: “Thames is the heart of the Coromandel and the clock sits at the heart of town. “Pub Charity is rapt to help with an investment in such an icon for the benefit of the people and their future generations.”

Specialised contractors Pilbrows Watchmakers completed the repair this week, bringing the historic landmark back to life.

Councillor Martin Rodley, who has long advocated for the clock’s revival, says the repair may seem small but its significance to the community is clear. “This clock has always mattered to the people of Thames. It’s part of who we are and getting it ticking again shows what we can achieve when our community and partners pull together.”

With the mechanism repaired and the hands moving once more, the clock tower is back to doing what it was built for - keeping Thames on time.