diff --git a/crates/shepherd-hud/src/app.rs b/crates/shepherd-hud/src/app.rs
index f36dbe5..7d93030 100644
--- a/crates/shepherd-hud/src/app.rs
+++ b/crates/shepherd-hud/src/app.rs
@@ -182,10 +182,6 @@ fn build_hud_content(state: SharedState) -> gtk4::Box {
         .spacing(4)
         .build();
 
-    let clock_icon = gtk4::Image::from_icon_name("preferences-system-time-symbolic");
-    clock_icon.set_pixel_size(20);
-    clock_box.append(&clock_icon);
-
     let clock_label = gtk4::Label::new(Some("--:--"));
     clock_label.add_css_class("clock-label");
     clock_box.append(&clock_label);
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-util/src/time.rs b/crates/shepherd-util/src/time.rs
index 7264412..ce01d89 100644
--- a/crates/shepherd-util/src/time.rs
+++ b/crates/shepherd-util/src/time.rs
@@ -92,8 +92,9 @@ pub fn now() -> DateTime<Local> {
 }
 
 /// Format a DateTime for display in the HUD clock.
+/// Always uses 12-hour format with AM/PM, ignoring system locale.
 pub fn format_clock_time(dt: &DateTime<Local>) -> String {
-    dt.format("%H:%M").to_string()
+    dt.format("%l:%M %p").to_string()
 }
 
 /// Format a DateTime for display with full date and time.
@@ -396,7 +397,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn test_format_clock_time() {
         let dt = Local.with_ymd_and_hms(2025, 12, 25, 14, 30, 45).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(format_clock_time(&dt), "14:30");
+        assert_eq!(format_clock_time(&dt), "02:30 PM");
     }
 
     #[test]