TIME TRAVEL OF THE WORLD’S

WITH THE CLOCKS GOING FORWARD, HERE’S HOUR PICK FAMOUS FACES...

FLAW O’CLOCK? Big Ben, London

Possibly the most famous and most photographed clock in the world, it’s been bonging at the north end of the Houses of Parliament since 1859.

Of course, while the name Big Ben is often used to describe the clock tower – that is formally the Elizabeth Tower – it’s specifically the name of the mechanism’s Great Bell, which weighs 13.7 tonnes, has a 441lb hammer and is tuned to the note of E.

The clock – formally the Great Clock – has four 23ft diameter dials, each with 14ft minute hands, 9ft hour hands, and is illuminated by 28 energy efficient 85-watt bulbs.

■ Fact fans: Unusually, the hour figure of 4 o’clock is shown by the Roman numeral IV, rather than the typical IIII seen on most other clocks and watches.

■ visitlondon.com

RUSSIA HOUR Kremlin Clock, Moscow

The clock on the Spasskaya Tower has been chiming above the main gates to Red Square since 1706, though it was restored in 1851 and 1913, and it replaced one installed in the late 16th century. It has suffered damage by fire and by a shell during the Russian Revolution.

Over the years it’s played several tunes, ranging from a Viennese melody and the Tsarist March of the Preobrazhensky Regiment to the Internationale and the national anthems of the USSR and modern Russia. ■ visitrussia.org.uk

LUST IN SPACE Prague Astronomical Clock

Prague Orlo, a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall, dates from 1410 and, on the hour, figures representing vanity, greed, death and lust move and 12 Apostles appear.

It is, of course, a bit of a bunfight to find space for a decent view.

■ prague.eu/en