A UNIQUE clock designed to reflect the luxury and historical significance of the Titanic has been placed on public display at Belfast City Hall.
The elegant timepiece valued at £150,000 will be showcased in the reception area until Friday before being transferred to the lord mayor's parlour.
Owned by chairman of The Irish News Jim Fitzpatrick, the clock is a one-off created last year by world-renowned Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Patek Philippe.
Its dome shape was crafted to recall the departure of the Titanic from Belfast in 1912, while cloisonné enamel work illustrates the ship's domed glass ceiling.
Lengths of gold ribbon are used for partitions, and the design contains 22 intricate enamel colours and 200 gold spangles.
The clock was created to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Lunn's jewellers and the 175th anniversary of Patek Philippe.
Mr Fitzpatrick said he had loaned the clock to mark the start of a new era due to the creation of the new Belfast council under local government reform.
"It is a symbol of the city's illustrious past as an industrial centre of world standard," he said.
"I am pleased in making this gesture to mark the beginning of the new Belfast City Council.
"Already there are signs of renewed vigour and determination to make Belfast a capital city worthy of the title and the pride of all its citizens."
Belfast's deputy lord mayor Guy Spence and council chief executive Suzanne Wylie received the clock at a handover ceremony yesterday morning in city hall.
Mr Spence said: "This is a wonderful and generous gesture which will no doubt be enjoyed by the hundreds of locals and visitors who pass through city hall every day."
