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 the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, has a significant crack that has existed since 1859. The bell cracked just two months after it first started striking, primarily because the original hammer was deemed too heavy (it was replaced with a lighter one shortly after). To fix the sound without recasting the massive 13.7-ton bell, engineers simply rotated it a quarter turn so the hammer would strike a different, uncracked spot. They also cut a small square "notch" into the crack to prevent it from spreading further. This crack is actually responsible for the bell's distinct, slightly "out-of-tune" E-natural tone that is recognized globally. In 2026, following the major five-year restoration of the tower, the bell remains in this same orientation, continuing to mark time with its famously imperfect but iconic chime.