The Dutch clock specialist Fjodor van den Broek will need sixteen hours this weekend to ensure that all four hundred clocks in the British Windsor Castle indicate the correct time again at the start of winter time. Van den Broek has been in the service of the Royal Collection Trust for a year, which manages the nine-century-old castle on behalf of Queen Elizabeth.
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The clock specialist graduated in 2015 from the watchmaking course at the Schoonhoven Vocational School, specializing in the restoration of antique clocks. Just the kind of backdrop that comes in handy at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s residence.
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The Dutch clock specialist told the BBC that his colleague in Buckingham Palace has more work this weekend, because there are six hundred clocks that have to be brought up to date manually. In his work, Van den Broek has to take into account that the timepieces in the royal kitchens are five minutes ahead. This tradition exists because it would contribute to the food being served hot and on time.
Even without the change from summer to winter time, there is enough work for the watch curator. All mechanical clocks have to be wound every week and checked if necessary, because sometimes clocks can just get out of step, Van den Broek told the BBC.
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