The Greatest Horological Masterpieces of All Time: The Great Clock of Westminster AKA ‘Big Ben’ - A Horological Marvel of Its Time
The Great Clock of Westminster, commonly known as Big Ben, is an iconic symbol of British history and engineering, completed in 1859. Designed by clockmaker Edward John Dent and architect Augustus Pugin, it features remarkable accuracy and a deep, resonant chime, becoming a reliable timekeeper for London. The clock tower, renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, underwent extensive conservation starting in 2017, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Big Ben's chimes have historically helped structure daily life and are still used by the BBC for time signals. The competition to build the clock was fierce, with strict requirements set by the Astronomer Royal, leading to Dent's collaboration with Edmund Denison, which ultimately secured the project. The clock's mechanism was advanced for its time, utilizing a gravity escapement to enhance accuracy. Big Ben, the Great Bell, has a fascinating origin story regarding its name, with theories linking it to either Sir Benjamin Hall or a contemporary boxer. Today, Big Ben remains a cultural icon, celebrated in art and media, symbolizing reliability and British engineering excellence.
