Big Ben is also around 90 years older than Big Benzene, making it more historical.Īlso, it seems that when Big Benzene was being constructed by Croydon-based clockmakers Gillett & Johnson, they appear to have forgotten to give it a nice, loud ‘bong’ to give it a chance to compete against its more famous counterpart. Shell Mex House is 58 metres tall, while the Elizabeth Tower is 96 metres high. It may be the larger of the two clocks, but it can be difficult to notice from street level because of trees blocking the view. Why then don’t Londoners make as much of a fuss about ‘Big Benzene’ as they do about Big Ben? Well, first of all, Big Benzene doesn’t seek to attract as much attention. Although the building is today officially simply known as 80 Strand, it’s still referred to colloquially as Shell Mex House. Its current owners, the German Conley/Conle family, bought it in 2013 for a reported £610 million. 'Big Benzene' as seen from the South Bank of the River Thames (Image: Getty Images) It was purchased by Westbrook Partners, an American equity firm owned by the Reuben brothers in 2007 for £590 million. Nippon Televisions Big Clock, also known as the Giant Ghibli Clock or the Nittele Big Clock, is displayed on the facade of the Nippon Television Building near Shiodome Station. The two companies parted ways in 1976, with Shell Mex maintaining ownership of the building until it was sold in the 1990s. Its construction was funded by Shell-Mex and BP after the two companies merged. The building, which was originally built by the Messrsin architectural firm in the Art Deco style, was completed in 1931. That’s because, as the name of the building indicates, the because for several decades served as the headquarters of the Shell petrol company. In fact, much like Big Ben, the clock on top of Shell Mex House has its own nickname - ‘Big Benzene’. However, the clock on top of Shell Mex House is 7.62 metres in diameter, not only making it the biggest clock in London, but the biggest clock in the entire United Kingdom.
That’s right, the clock at the top of Shell Mex House is even bigger than the clocks on top of the Elizabeth Tower, which locals lovingly call Big Ben after the bell inside the tower.Įach of Big Ben’s four clocks are 7 metres in diameter.
'Big Benzene' on top of Shell Mex House (Image: Getty Images) Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall.
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