The use of silicon in mechanical movements has contributed to improvements in which area?

The utilization of silicon in mechanical movements primarily enhances precision. Silicon components, such as gears and escapements, can be manufactured with extremely high tolerances, which leads to improved accuracy in timekeeping. This precision arises from silicon's unique properties, such as its low friction coefficient compared to traditional materials like metal, thereby reducing wear over time. Additionally, silicon's inertness contributes to its stability against temperature variations, further ensuring that the mechanical movements keep time accurately under different environmental conditions.

These advancements have made silicon an attractive material in horology, as the precision it enables not only improves the efficiency of the watch's timekeeping but also diminishes the need for lubrication, leading to lower maintenance requirements.