It’s often said that you can set your watch by the Queen, so punctual is our monarch, but this poses the question - who sets the Queen’s watch?

The royal horologist, of course, and currently the situation is vacant.

The Royal Collection Trust is advertising for a new ‘Horological Conservator’ who will “work with a team of three based out of workshops in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, maintaining in excess of 1,000 clocks, including many items of great historical importance and rarity, whilst also repairing a range of horological items and Turret clocks…You will work with colleagues in other areas of the Royal Collection Department; give occasional lectures and tours, instruct on the cleaning and handling of clocks and be keen to develop research and awareness of best practice horological conservation.”

But the ad make sit clear they are not loking for just anyone, you must have “significant expertise in repair and restoration,” and be able to, “strip and clean mechanisms, make new parts, solder, turn, cut screws wheels and pinions, make hands, silver dials, pattern making, brazing and some forging…”

Applications need to be in by October 13, presumably just in time for the weekend of October 27, when the clocks go back, a busy time for royal clock watchers.