60Hz timebase clock

[Amoque]

Well, since you promised to appreciate any comments...

I'd use an RTC anyway. Some of the DS series are cheap, do not require a backup battery (actually, even those that make the option available need not have it to run) and provide a 1 Hz output without setting the time explicitly. Not sure why you wouldn't want to have a battery backed up time at your disposal, but if you don't... [shrug] ... you don't have to use it.

There's also a good article here somewhere about making a very accurate 1 second timer with no other time base than an external crystal... that would be my second choice.

On the other hand, Robert's suggestions are valid - as are your own.