Unusual Manhattan landmark – sidewalk clock at the corner of maiden lane and Broadway – not everyone will notice. Tourists usually do not look under your feet, but these watches are literally under your feet – they are imbedded in the sidewalk, their Roman numerals and clear arrows hidden under a strong glass.

Street clock on cast-iron pillars were common in American cities from the 1860s, but these, embedded in the sidewalk, is unique. They appeared here in 1899 – jeweler William Barthman decided therefore to draw attention to your shop. Bartman invented, and his associate Frank Hamm designed flip mechanical watch. They had a backup battery, in the dark they were illuminated by hidden lights, which was then a rarity in Manhattan.

The audience was delighted. Watches have become famous. In 1906 the journal "Technical world" called them the most unusual device among devices, recording time.

Watch had daily handling, they are often needed minor repairs, which coped Hom. When he died in 1917, Bartman fell on hard times: vibration from underground trains and the shoes of pedestrians hurt the device, but no one knew how to fix it. Had to replace the original watch new, traditional, round, with Arabic numerals and arrows. The people still loved them. About them he wrote poetry, wrote stories, they became known worldwide. In the English Windsor jewelry company "Dyson and sons produced the same watch (they also had a great success). And when in 1928 Bartman registered in the Cairo hotel, the clerk immediately asked him if he has any relation to Bartman, which clock in front of the store.

Since then, the watch was changed several times and numerals, and hands. During the great depression, the mechanism was, but began to walk again before the Second world war. Since the clock and ticking in its brass frame, despite numerous pedestrians shuffling on the glass, or to attempts by vandals to break the artifact. Shop Bartman too, just moved and now he is on Broadway, just around the corner. The owners wanted to morovati in the sidewalk a copy of the instrument, but city officials denied: in new York should be only one sidewalk clock.