Ticking steadily through San Diego’s evolution, the Jessop’s Clock remains a timeless emblem of the city’s heritage—soon to be more accessible than ever in its new Balboa Park home.
The Jessop’s Clock Moves to Balboa Park
A beloved landmark in San Diego, the Jessop’s Street Clock is more than a timepiece—it’s a mechanical legacy crafted by Joseph Jessop, patriarch of the Jessop jewelry dynasty.
Originally constructed in 1907, the ornate 22-foot-tall clock stood in front of the family’s downtown store and became a symbol of craftsmanship and civic pride. The clock, featuring 20 dials that once displayed the time in cities around the world, was handmade over 15 months by Joseph Jessop and his nephew Claude—a feat of engineering meant to showcase the precision and elegance of their jewelry trade.
In the 1980s, it was moved to Horton Plaza, where it remained a fixture for decades.
Now, the Jessop’s Clock is preparing for a new chapter. As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune in May 2023, the historic timepiece will be relocated to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.
There, it will be reassembled, restored, and featured in a public exhibit set to open in 2028.
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