After 55 years, a demolition, and an Omega-inspired redesign, Al Ain’s most recognisable roundabout remains a cherished city landmark.
Ask anyone in Al Ain for directions, and there is a strong chance the Clock Roundabout will be mentioned. Fifty-five years after it first became a defining feature of the city, the landmark has undergone redesigns, demolition and reconstruction — yet it continues to feel like the familiar symbol that generations of residents have known and cherished.
The story of the landmark dates back to 1970, when the roundabout was built along what would later become Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street, Al Ain’s main commercial avenue. According to the city’s urban planning department, the Clock Roundabout was the first square in Al Ain to receive an official name.
Long before glass towers and modern signal-controlled roads reshaped Al Ain’s landscape, the Clock Roundabout served as the city’s most familiar reference point. For generations, the phrase “Meet me by the clock” became a common way for residents to arrange gatherings and navigate the city.
A landmark transformed through the years
The Clock Roundabout has undergone several transformations over the decades. In 2015, plans were announced for a large electronic clock at the site as part of a wider city beautification initiative. By 2021, Al Ain Municipality had begun redesigning the area as part of a broader effort to convert several roundabouts into signal-controlled intersections while preserving their identity as iconic city landmarks.
The latest transformation began in February 2025, when the old clock structure was removed and replaced with a new illuminated design featuring a four-faced suspended clock at the centre of the intersection. The redevelopment also introduced wider pedestrian pathways and cycling lanes. After 15 months of work, and with no reported injuries at the site, according to Al Ittihad, the new landmark was completed.
Swiss precision with Emirati heritage
The redesigned clock takes inspiration from Omega’s Constellation collection, representing the Swiss watchmaker’s first collaboration of its kind with Al Ain Municipality and coinciding with the UAE’s 54th National Day celebrations. Omega noted that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a personal appreciation for Omega timepieces, adding a layer of heritage and symbolism to the partnership.
An enduring Al Ain symbol
After 55 years, a demolition, and a Swiss-inspired redesign, the Clock Roundabout has evolved while retaining its place in the heart of Al Ain. Its appearance may have changed, but its significance remains unchanged — a beloved landmark that connects generations and continues to serve as a gathering point for the city’s residents and visitors.
