Before I give my opinion on whether or not silicon is good or bad for the industry, it is important that I mention "chronometry" - the science of measuring time accurately. In the late 16th century, when Jost Bürgi invented the cross-beat escapement - which improved greatly upon its predecessor the verge escapement, and allowed for the creation of clocks that were accurate within one minute per day - it was an important feat at the time.
