I stumbled across this... http://wwwhome.cs.utwente.nl/~ptdeboer/misc/mains.html which was quite interesting i.r.o. mains frequency derived clocks.
"discrete"? is that really what you meant?
The mains synchronized clock would be the easiest and since it of course will be pretty power hungry contraption the mains power (and base clock pulse) would be there anyway. Interesting article, If they really do synchronize the grid to the reference time and frequency and not just to 50 Hz.
Just AC 12V or so transformer feed to the clock itself and then there is many easy ways to get the clock pulse from it. Crystal oscillator approach would be nice and allow use this as boat clock middle of the ocean.
Discrete yes, discrete transistor / diode design.
I think the stable capacitor would be the most difficult part in the analog / digital hybrid. Let see this have been really a great help already to get my thoughts a bit more oriented.
I need to make my mind of I go for CMOS or TTL chip driven precision crystal or mains synchronized design, I think the D-flipflop divider from 32k crystal with discrete transistors screams a bit too much a lifetime project. Need to check my junk part box as there is all sort of old junk .. in hope of slow crystal.
edit. some missing words added.