Dave wrote:

Since mechanical watchmaking has been obsoleted (AFAIK) I'm curious
what current industry is similarly motivated to develop miniature
mechanical mechanisms? I'm talking about metalworking here -- not
silicon wafer etched nano-bots. Thanks.

Um, mechanical watch making still exists, it's just been relegated to
the high end of the market. There is also plenty of micro machining
going on in various areas (medical, sensors, etc.).

Pete C.