Built out of red bricks and granite, the Clock Tower peaks at 44 metres, and is topped by a 7-metre lightning rod.

[3] The onset of the First World War also resulted in delivery of materials required for the building being delayed, and construction was halted for some time.

They began operation on the afternoon of 22 March 1921,[6] and have run ever since except during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II.

During the fighting before the occupation, the clock tower building sustained damage, leaving the marks of combat present to this day.

[citation needed] During the Japanese occupation, the clock tower was coloured a camouflage grey and bell chiming was halted.

[5] Following the liberation of Hong Kong, the clock was reactivated on 2 October 1945,[6] and the paint was removed, revealing the original red brick and grey stone façade.

[6] The bell inside the Clock Tower was on display in Sha Tin station from the mid-1980s to 1995 and was moved to the KCRC Office in Fo Tan from 1995 to the early 2000s.