Quote Originally Posted by Melanie View Post
Are the crystals you are using the same Capacitance as that required by the RTC - ie 12.5pF? Probably not. Is your xtal 32768.0000000Hz? Probably not. Is your xtal in an environmentally controlled and regulated oven? Probably not. Have you added any Trimming Capacitors to get the frequency spot-on? Probably not. Have you Phase Locked the xtal to WWV? Probably not. At only 5 seconds/day, you're doing damn good!!!

In any event, the Maxim RTC's are not that great. They work, sure, but not that spectacular, and they are hellishly overpriced for what they are. $1 for a DS1307? Who are you kidding Maxim!
Hi Melanie,
Yet to address his question, the $5 watch has no oven or PLL . . . , but may have the correct xtal, and trimmer caps, and as far as Maxim's overpriced RTC . . . I'm guessing you know a better I. E. cheaper solution . . . YES?