Bring about prime spots for timepieces before lake (5)
I believe the answer is:
impel
'bring about' is the definition.
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for impel that I've seen before include "Motivate" , "Force into motion" , "Cause to move forward" , "Hold together" , "Urge or drive to do something" .)