Origionally I designed this for use on my Metal Laithe to Aid me in winding coils.
But it can be adapted for many other applications.

This Circuit uses a CD40110BE, Up/Down Counter IC's.
The CD40110BE is Available from Digi-Key
Digi-Key Part Number "296-3506-5-ND"
****DO NOT CONFUSE THIS IC WITH A CD4011****

This IC is able to Source Each Segment with 25 mA, Giving a Very Nice Bright Display.
The 7 Segment Displays MUST be a Common Cathode Type, as I have used here

NOTE Also:   All the UnMarked Resistors should be at least 330 Ohms with a 6 Volt Supply.
Or 680 Ohms for a 12 Volt Supply Voltage.
And For Supply Voltages up to 18 Volts, use 1000 Ohms or more.

Or if you want "Reduced Power" and "Brightness", Adjust the resistor values as appropriate.
Basically the Approximate Current is Supply voltage Minus 2, Divided by the Resistor Value.

The Schematic posted here Only shows the First, Second, Third and Last Stages.

However:   Since All Stages between the Third and Last, Would be the same,
So you could make a display with as many digits as you wish, by expanding the circuit board.

Additionally:   You can just put in 1, 2, 3, or all 4  IC's and the Appropriate Displays.

Other Options:
1) Adding a Clock Circuit with a Frequency of 1 Hz in place of the Reset Switch will create a Frequency counter in Hz/Sec.
2) Adding a Clock Circuit with a Frequency of 1 Hz into one of the Inputs can create an up or down counter type of timer.
3) Although Not Highly Accurate, a Simple 555 circuit will work as a Simple Clock.