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.

As far as scale goes, closer to watchmaking:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bayare...?yguid=4254039

http://www.baemclub.com/

Some of the fellows build scale cars with working
engines, transmissions and running gear. Incredible
work.