Why dont use the internal Timer-Counters of the 8051?

If not:
7490 Tens Counter
7492 12 Counter
74190 Up & Down BCD counter
...

4020 Counter of 14 bits
4040 Counter of 12 bits
4060 Counter of 14 bits and oscillator
...

If you want more than 16 bit put two or more in cascade.
If you dont like any of thouse IC try to searc in a data book.

Regards.