Biography - The Birks Clock- Circa 1909                                                            < Back to Gallery 

Since 1907, generations of Vancouverites have arranged a downtown rendezvous with one simple phrase, “meet you under the Birks clock”. Erected as a public convenience for the people of Vancouver, this stalwart time piece has stood in front of the main Birks store for almost 90 years, requiring little more than a weekly winding of its original mechanics.
The first home of the clock was at the north east corner of Hastings & Granville, the clock moved with Birks in 1913 to Georgia St. & Granville, where it remained until 1994.  Manufactured by E.Howard & Co. of Boston, this 4 sided clock is constructed of cast iron and has feature design elements so popular at the turn of the century that it reflects the Victorian fascination with ornamental detail and historic style. The Birks clock is waiting for you at the south east corner of Hastings &Granville.