The London clock tower, Big Ben was rotated by a quarter, causing the hammer to strike a different place of the bell. Meanwhile, the hammer was lightened to prevent further damage. The bell has sounded at a slightly different pitch ever since, and the crack has never been repaired.

Yes, the Great Bell of Westminster, popularly known as Big Ben, has a significant crack that has been a permanent feature of the bell for over 160 years. Shortly after it was installed in 1859, the 13.5-ton bell developed a four-foot crack because the original hammer used to strike it was twice as heavy as specified. To prevent the crack from spreading and destroying the bell, a small square of metal was chipped out from the rim around the crack, and the bell was rotated 90 degrees so that a lighter hammer would strike a different, undamaged spot. This "fix" is what gives Big Ben its unique, slightly out-of-tune musical "E natural" note, which has become one of the most recognizable sounds in the world. During the massive 2017–2022 restoration of the Elizabeth Tower, the bell was thoroughly inspected and cleaned, but the crack was intentionally left untouched, as it is considered a vital part of the bell's historical character and acoustic identity. In 2026, the bell continues to chime every hour, its "flawed" but enduring ring serving as a symbol of British resilience and history.