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In pictures: Clock towers forgotten in time by Mumbai

In Mumbai, time is money. Distances are measured in commuting minutes, not kilometers. No one has the patience for a sigh; fortunes can be lost on a moment’s indecision. It wasn’t long ago when commuters confirmed the time by looking up, at the various clock towers that dot the city. The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, formerly known as Crawford Market, is one such busy market in South Mumbai . (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

Updated on: Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM IST

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1/10

In Mumbai, time is money. Distances are measured in commuting minutes, not kilometers. No one has the patience for a sigh; fortunes can be lost on a moment’s indecision. It wasn’t long ago when commuters confirmed the time by looking up, at the various clock towers that dot the city. The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, formerly known as Crawford Market, is one such busy market in South Mumbai . (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

In Mumbai, time is money. Distances are measured in commuting minutes, not kilometers. No one has the patience for a sigh; fortunes can be lost on a moment’s indecision. It wasn’t long ago when commuters confirmed the time by looking up, at the various clock towers that dot the city. The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, formerly known as Crawford Market, is one such busy market in South Mumbai . (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

2/10

Giant clocks on new structures served a clear new purpose – to get you somewhere on time, to offer no excuse for tardiness. How else will the wheels of business turn? Mhatre Pen building located in Dadar west was a telephone exchange earlier, it is now a commercial building and the watch clock has faced the same fate as others. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Giant clocks on new structures served a clear new purpose – to get you somewhere on time, to offer no excuse for tardiness. How else will the wheels of business turn? Mhatre Pen building located in Dadar west was a telephone exchange earlier, it is now a commercial building and the watch clock has faced the same fate as others. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

3/10

Mobile phones have replaced the little wristwatch, which not so long ago were synonymous with a serious professional; one in control of his time. The clock at Vijaynagar Building, Dadar has been witness to many changes in the landscape of Mumbai, ever since it first came up in 1939.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Mobile phones have replaced the little wristwatch, which not so long ago were synonymous with a serious professional; one in control of his time. The clock at Vijaynagar Building, Dadar has been witness to many changes in the landscape of Mumbai, ever since it first came up in 1939.

4/10

By the early decades of the 20th century, giant clock faces on public buildings were a common sight. Today however, the tower clock at Fulchand Niwas, Chowpatty, like most clocks across Mumbai, doesn’t function.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

By the early decades of the 20th century, giant clock faces on public buildings were a common sight. Today however, the tower clock at Fulchand Niwas, Chowpatty, like most clocks across Mumbai, doesn’t function.

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Clock towers were a departure from the decorative and religious motifs so popular in traditional architecture. They were in fact a reflection of the time – a shift towards utility, usefulness, and the start of a movement to maximize productivity. A busy Mumbaikar is seen here passing by the 298 year old St. Thomas Cathedral at Horniman Circle.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Clock towers were a departure from the decorative and religious motifs so popular in traditional architecture. They were in fact a reflection of the time – a shift towards utility, usefulness, and the start of a movement to maximize productivity. A busy Mumbaikar is seen here passing by the 298 year old St. Thomas Cathedral at Horniman Circle.

6/10

These buildings, as far apart as Matunga, Dadar, Fort, Chowpatty and the dock regions of P D’Mello Road did their job simply, often silently.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

These buildings, as far apart as Matunga, Dadar, Fort, Chowpatty and the dock regions of P D’Mello Road did their job simply, often silently.

7/10

Today, most of them lie in disrepair. Some faces stand bare, many lie still as mechanical watch repairers become harder and harder to find. Lakshmi Insurance Building is a rare and wonderful example of an Art Deco structure with an Indian goddess and a clock at the top.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Today, most of them lie in disrepair. Some faces stand bare, many lie still as mechanical watch repairers become harder and harder to find. Lakshmi Insurance Building is a rare and wonderful example of an Art Deco structure with an Indian goddess and a clock at the top.

8/10

A child plays on a bridge in front of Ghadiyal Godi clock tower in Mumbai.

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

A child plays on a bridge in front of Ghadiyal Godi clock tower in Mumbai.

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Young cricketers play against Rajabai ClockTower at Fort, among the few working clocks in Mumbai. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Young cricketers play against Rajabai ClockTower at Fort, among the few working clocks in Mumbai. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo)

10/10

In a city where moments become ever more precious, and measuring time becomes ever more sophisticated, public clocks that kick-started that movement are the ones left behind by time. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 18, 2017 12:58 PM

In a city where moments become ever more precious, and measuring time becomes ever more sophisticated, public clocks that kick-started that movement are the ones left behind by time. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo)

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