Ugears Big Ben



London's "Big Ben" is only the third-tallest clock tower in Britain, yet as an icon of world architecture, and instant conveyer of place, it is second to none. The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, familiarly known as "Big Ben," was subsequently renamed the "Elizabeth Tower" to honor Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The name "Big Ben" was first given to the tower's hour bell, mostly likely in honor of champion heavyweight boxer Ben Caunt, though possibly after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw installation of the great bell.

Completed in 1859, the ornate clock tower, in the Gothic Revival style, stands 316 feet tall and upon dedication was the largest and most accurate four-faced clock in the world. The design belongs to English architect Augustus Pugin, within the larger scheme of Charles Barry's design for a new Palace of Westminster to replace the old one destroyed by fire in 1834. Exterior decorations include shields with national emblems of the four countries in the United Kingdom: England's red and white Tudor roses, Scotland's thistle, Northern Ireland's shamrock, and the leek of Wales. In addition to the Great Bell that chimes the hours, four smaller bells play the familiar "Westminster Quarters" every quarter hour.

The Ugears Big Ben model, with a section of the Houses of Parliament, from Ugears' World Cities collection, is a 1:530 scale wooden DIY model of the iconic clock tower with dimensions of 137 x 181 x 66 mm. With 63 pieces made of art-quality composite wood, Big Ben is rated "Easy" and can be built in about an hour. You won't need glue or special tools to build the model, just push the pieces out of their laser pre-cut boards and snap them together. Illustrated instructions in 11 languages (English, German, Ukrainian, French, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Korean) guide your build. This static 3D puzzle is perfect for display on a shelf or table in your home or office.

The Big Ben model will appeal to those who dream of travel to London, lovers of clock towers, architecture buffs, or anyone who wants to build and display a beautiful model of this icon of London.