Crossword Genius

Old timers, say, in America going around exotic island (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sundials

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'old timers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'in america going around exotic island' is the wordplay.
'in america' becomes 'us' ('US' is part of 'america').
'going around' says the letters should be written backwards.
'exotic' indicates an anagram.
'us' written backwards gives 'su'.
'island' is an anagram of 'ndials'.
'su'+'ndials'='SUNDIALS'

'say' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sundials that I've seen before include "They tell the time when there's no cloud" , "Daylight timekeepers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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