The modern Times Square New Year's Eve ball traditionally takes 60 seconds to descend.
The ball begins its descent at 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and reaches the bottom of the pole at midnight, making the drop a one-minute countdown. The timing connects the visual movement of the ball with the final minute of the old year.
The ball has changed dramatically since the first version appeared in 1907. Earlier balls were made from materials such as iron and wood and were illuminated with incandescent bulbs. The modern structure uses a geodesic design, LED lighting, and Waterford crystal panels, allowing elaborate colors and patterns to appear during the event.
The one-minute descent is separate from the length of the entire Times Square program, which includes performances, speeches, and other entertainment. It is also distinct from the twelve-chime grape ritual in Spain or the 108 bell strikes in Japan. Those traditions use different countdown structures.