London's most famous clock, Big Ben, has been moving six seconds too fast for the last two weeks, according to the Daily Mail. "If you set your watch by Big Ben, the bad news is that the first 'bong' signifying the hour has been off by five or even six seconds sometimes," said Eddie Mair on BBC Radio 4's "PM" show.
Ian Westworth, one of Big Ben's clocksmiths, said the initial problem was that the famous clock was running a couple of seconds late. After identifying the problem, Westworth and the two other clocksmiths in charge of Big Ben climbed up the Elizabeth tower to adjust the the time, reported NBC News.
However, while adjusting the clock, Big Ben fixed itself. As a result, Big Ben became six seconds too fast. "We don't know why it happened. You're talking about a 156-year-old clock. It does have a little fit every now and then. It's a little temperamental," said Westworth.
He goes on to explain that coins have to be added or taken away from the clock's pendulum in order to adjust the time, making it very difficult to change.
Steve Jaggs, known as the "Keeper of the Great Clock," said he and the other clocksmiths in charge of maintaining Big Ben have been keeping close watch on the famous clock because it is fully mechanical. Jaggs explained that, since the iconic landmark is not digital, keeping it running optimally "takes a lot of love and care."
Interested about mechanical clocks? Read this HNGN article for more details.
