Timely worker to study creator (10)

I believe the answer is:

watchmaker

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'timely worker' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'study creator' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'watch' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'creator' becomes 'maker' (maker is a kind of creator).
'watch'+'maker'='WATCHMAKER'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for watchmaker that I've seen is " One producing small movements".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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