"Perfect Accuracy!" — IKBFU Completes Test Run of Clock on 60‑Metre Kantiana Campus Tower

A test run of the 3‑metre‑diameter clock on the 60‑metre clock tower of the Higher School of Philosophy and Social Sciences at the Kantiana new campus has been completed. The mechanism ran for 24 hours with perfect accuracy, after which it was deliberately stopped pending the completion of the final stage of electrical installation work.

Evgeny Mironov, Clockmaker:

At present, all the electrical supply in the clock tower is connected via a temporary circuit. The clock mechanism — which is both expensive and complex — requires a stable 220 V power supply, and on a building site there is always a risk of voltage fluctuations, which could cause the clock to malfunction. But the most important thing we've done now is to confirm that the mechanism is working perfectly. It's spot on! Now all that remains is to wait for the construction to be completed. In the meantime, while we wait, you can admire the beautiful clock tower; I've deliberately stopped the clock at 10:10 — the most aesthetically pleasing position, just like in the advert.

The clock, with a diameter of 3 metres, consists of four dials facing the four cardinal directions. Each dial has 16 removable segments made of tempered triplex glass, tinted on the inside with a white light‑diffusing film. The clock movements, housed in steel cases, are manufactured in Russia and designed to last for decades.

The dynamic RGB backlighting system is one of the most ambitious aspects of the project. The four dials will require 84 controllers (20 for each dial, plus 4 control units). Essentially, this is a network of mini‑computers that will enable the creation of both static colour scenarios and dynamic effects synchronised with the passage of time. The three‑dimensional Roman numerals are made of perforated stainless steel in a sealed casing and are fitted with "day/night" backlighting: they are black during the day and can glow in any colour at night. For the first time in Russia, the clock hands are also fitted with RGB backlighting. 

Control of the backlighting and adjustment of the mechanisms' operation will be carried out remotely via the internet using specialised apps. A fibre‑optic cable has been laid to the tower for this purpose.

Installation of the clocks has been underway for over a year. In late November–early December 2025, four dials and cases were fitted. Tempered triplex glass panes were then manufactured to exact dimensions. Following this, the installation of all remaining components began — a process that required the resolution of numerous associated engineering challenges.

The clock tower is a key architectural feature of the Higher School of Philosophy, History and Social Sciences — a building covering an area of over 16,000 square metres, which will accommodate around 1,200 students. The building will house lecture theatres, computer rooms, and a library with reading rooms. The tower, including its spire, stands 60 metres tall; the spire was installed in the spring of 2026.

Construction is taking place as part of the national "Youth and Children" project, commissioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first two buildings on the campus were commissioned in 2024, to mark the 300th anniversary of Immanuel Kant. In January 2026, a student accommodation complex with 2,500 places was opened. Completion of the academic buildings, library, shopping street, and conference centre is scheduled for the end of 2026.