Guards the hunters, perhaps (7)

I believe the answer is:

watches

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'guards' is the first definition.
(I know this)

'hunters perhaps' is the second definition.
(hunter is a kind of watch)

'the' acts as a link.

(Another definition for watches that I've seen is " Observes; timepieces".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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