in a galaxy far, far away,
and populated by the likes (oops, nearly typed 'lies') of Practical Electronics and Elektor
there was a timing device that was used when the 555 couldn't go slow enough.
It was an oscillator and a multistage counter and a bit of logic. And it wasn't a CD 4060 though it was a bit like that.
Does anyone remember what it was called ? Could have been a Ferranti part (Z something. maybe.)