If you think Apple’s new clock design in iOS 6 looks like a Swiss watch, that may be because it is.

Switzerland’s Federal Railways service says Apple copied its iconic clock in its Clock app for iPad without permission.

The clock, which was designed in the 1940s by Hans Hilfiker, is an icon in Switzerland, with the Federal Railways service the sole copyright owner for the clock. Apple's version of the clock is shown on the left in the photo above, the Railway's on the right.

"SBB is the sole owner of the trademark and copyright of the railway clock. The railway company will now get in touch with Apple. The aim is a legal, as well as a financial solution. It is not right that one [Apple] simply copies the design," a Swiss newspaper report said, citing a conversation with a railway representative (translation by MacRumors).

Despite the copyright, the design has been heavily licensed and is used for watches sold at a number of retailers around the world.

Check out a video of the real-world clock in action below.

What do you think? Did Apple steal the railway's clock?

[via MacRumors]