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Royal Palace Clockkeeper Winds 190 Antique Timepieces Daily

3/26/2026

30 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

José Antonio Gismera, the clocks official at the Royal Palace of Madrid, has cared for 190 antique clocks since 2007, many in restricted areas.
He arrives punctually at 7 a.m. each day.
Gismera winds the clocks weekly without a list, relying on memory.
Some rooms have multiple clocks, with the banquet hall lacking clocks to avoid disturbing diners.
An exhibition nearby features 17 clocks from four Spanish palaces.

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Story summary

José Antonio Gismera, the clocks official at the Royal Palace of Madrid, has cared for 190 antique clocks since 2007, many in restricted areas.
He arrives punctually at 7 a.m. each day.
Gismera winds the clocks weekly without a list, relying on memory.
Some rooms have multiple clocks, with the banquet hall lacking clocks to avoid disturbing diners.
An exhibition nearby features 17 clocks from four Spanish palaces.