Guide for watch started admin when distracted (8,4)

I believe the answer is:

standard time

'guide for watch' is the definition.
(standard for clocks)

'started admin when distracted' is the wordplay.
'when distracted' indicates anagramming the letters.
'started'+'admin'='startedadmin'
'startedadmin' is an anagram of 'STANDARD TIME'.

(Another definition for standard time that I've seen is " What passes locally".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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