Frederique Constant Caliber FC303 Automatic Movement SW200

Frederique Constant Caliber FC-303

Automatic
·31 Comments·

Frederique Constant Caliber FC303 Automatic Movement SW200

BrandFrederique Constant
Caliber NumberFC-303, FC303
In-House?
No
Base CaliberSellita SW200-1
Movement Type
Automatic, self-winding mechanical
Jewels
26
Beat Rate / Frequency
28,800 bph / 4Hz
Power Reserve38 hours
Rotor Winding Direction
Bi-directional
Hand-Windable?
Yes
Shock Protection
Incabloc anti-shock device
FunctionsCentral hours; central minutes; central sweeping seconds; date at 3:00
Hacking Seconds?Yes
Quickset Date?Yes
Country of ManufactureSwitzerland, Swiss made
Known Models
Vintage Rally Healey, Classics Automatic, Highlife Automatic (Add your watch in the comments below…)

The Frederique Constant caliber FC-303 (sometimes written FC303) is a Swiss made automatic movement with 26 jewels. It is essentially a Sellita caliber SW200-1 (ETA 2824-2 clone) with “Frederique Constant” engraved on the rotor.

Watches with this movement:

The example movement featured on this page was found in a limited edition Vintage Rally Healey watch. It has a plastic movement holder inside. The FC-303 is used in a wide lineup of FC watches. Please add yours to the comments.

frederique-constant-fc303-sw200-caliber

COSC?

The typical FC-303 watch will not be COSC, but Frederique Constant does sell FC-303 powered watches with certified chronometer status (such as the Highlife Automatic COSC shown below). Models with this movement which are COSC certified will usually have “Certified Chronometer Automatic” written across the dial. Also, note the blued screws and difference in rotor color.

Frederique Constant Fc303 Cosc

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31 Comments
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Bob
Bob
10 years ago

What is the difference between the SW200-1 that this is based on and the regular SW-200?

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WOMW
WOMW
10 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Is the SW200-1 a higher grade maybe?

0
Reply
admin
Author
calibercorner
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob

There is a post for that 😉 https://calibercorner.com/sellita-caliber-sw200-vs-sw200-1/

0
Reply
New Guy
New Guy
8 years ago

SW200-1 is the newer variation with small improvements.

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Reply
Joanne
Joanne
8 years ago

Are Fredrique Constant watches any good? I like the looks but I want to hear from some of the men on this site if I should trust the mechanism inside or not. Thank you in advance. Great site by the way!

2
Reply
Fred
Fred
6 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

I like mine.

3
Reply
Richard
Richard
6 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

I have had my FC Classic Index (with the FC-303/Sellita mvmt) for about a year and I love it. It works really well. As a brand they offer great value. If you are looking for an entry level Swiss timepiece from a real watch making company, you can’t go wrong.

4
Reply
Taylan
Taylan
3 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Is FC-303 self winding or manual winding?

1
Reply
admin
Author
calibercorner
3 years ago
Reply to  Taylan

Hi Taylan, the FC-303 is an automatic (self-winding) movement with the ability to be manually wound. This caliber is based on the SW200-1 which you can learn more about here: https://calibercorner.com/sellita-caliber-sw200-1/

3
Reply
Taylan
Taylan
3 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

Thanks a lot

1
Reply
Sidney Snyder
Sidney Snyder
6 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

Yes! Nothing but good luck with mine!!

1
Reply
USP40GUY
USP40GUY
5 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

FC is a well-regarded Swiss manufacturer using in-house movement State design and build. Some of them are less expensive watches will run under a thousand to well over $300,000 for the tourbillion models. I have one of the Classics, because I wanted a gold dress watch with an amazing dial. Check out jomashop or FC website and you’ll see what kind of models this company produces.

0
Reply
Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

Yes. It is a real and reliable luxury watch company.

2
Reply
Nick Dolin
Nick Dolin
7 years ago

If Sellita is anything like Seiko, movement updates usually involve increasing the number of interchangeable parts to reduce costs…. lol

-9
Reply
trackback
Heads Up! I saw a Bargain here! (List place) -Thread #7 (2018) - Page 805
6 years ago

[…] Leather Men's Watch FC-303B5B6. 40mm x 10mm, 50m WR, sapphire crystal, FC-303 movement which is based on the SW200-1. $303 – $50 PARTYINUSA discount = $254. Next eBay price: $510. Amazon: […]

-1
Reply
Alex Popovich
Alex Popovich
5 years ago

Is it normal for it to be more difficult to wind this movement on a FC Classic watch?

1
Reply
WatchAdams
WatchAdams
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex Popovich

It looks like it’s a Sellita SW200-1 movement. I have watches with that movement and none of them are more difficult to wind, but I did have an ETA before that needed “broken in” before it was smooth to wind. Can you say more about it? Is it a new watch? What does it feel like to wind it up? Does it run well? Just trying my best to help.

2
Reply
Pump
Pump
30 days ago
Reply to  Alex Popovich

Mine is very stiff.

0
Reply
Gábor Bence
Gábor Bence
4 years ago

So this FC-303 is based on the Premium grade SW200-1? Because thats looks like a Double-Cone, not a Novodiac. Or they have different grades of FC-3030 too?
According to the Calibercorner SW200-1 page:
“Premium – Incabloc”
“Premium (Top) – adjusted in five positions; accuracy of +/-4 sec/day up to +/- 15 sec/day”.

0
Reply
admin
Author
calibercorner
3 years ago
Reply to  Gábor Bence

Based on this it does appear to be Premium/Top grade from the Sellita grades page here, but keep in mind that the information you are quoting is specifically for raw Sellita movements. Brands can choose to use a different anti-shock system or finish. This is why it would be nice if brands would be more transparent about the grade they use, or at least disclose the positions tested and expected accuracy. It would also be nice if the grades were marked on the movements from Sellita, or incorporate it it into the caliber number… but such is the “smoke and… Read more »

4
Reply
Tj
Tj
14 days ago
Reply to  calibercorner

on https://frederiqueconstant.com/technical-information/ there’s a table with FC movements and what movement they’re based on.
FC-303 says “SW200 COSC” which to me implies that all FC-303’s are based on chronometer grade SW200 even if the eventual watch made with FC-303 isn’t COSC certified?

0
Reply
admin
Author
calibercorner
14 days ago
Reply to  Tj

Thanks for sharing, Tj. This is interesting to say the least. But also how much can we depend on a list from the manufacturer that can’t even get the base caliber correct? They state “SW200” when it should be “SW200-1”. Sure, to many it may seem unimportant, but the fact remains that they are two different caliber numbers for a reason. The same page also claims the COSC movements are “-4/+10 SEC/DAY”, but COSC spec is -4/+6 seconds per day. Furthermore, COSC movements supposedly should be signed with a serial number on them (more info here). The images above are… Read more »

1
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trackback
Frederique Constant Classic Index – Beans & Bezels
3 years ago

[…] watch uses an FC303 movement, which is basically a Sellita SW200-1. This is a good movement and I have plenty of experience with […]

0
Reply
Taylan
Taylan
3 years ago

I have a gold rose tone classic index automatic frederique constant watch. It is going about 8 to 15(especially if the weather is hot) seconds faster per day. Is it possible to adjust it by demagnetizing or should I open the back and turn the balance wheel to “-” direction a bit?

1
Reply
Taylan
Taylan
3 years ago
Reply to  Taylan

I started to wind it manually once every 5 days and it is now only 7-8 seconds faster per day.

0
Reply
Taylan
Taylan
3 years ago

If you manually wind your fc303 watch once every 5 days, it will have +7 or +8 seconds per day accuracy.

0
Reply
Darwin
Darwin
2 years ago

I have 3 questions about this movement,

So, FC 303 is just the same with Sellita SW 200-1 right? Cause I was found two different name with the same timepiece.

Is this movement really durable and can be the last forever? Considering, some people out there was claimed an overhaul. Or, is there something article in here talks about pros and cons about this calibre?

And the last one, how if we compare FC 303 to Seiko 4R35? I am about too looking for a dress watch and those of two are the candidates.

Thanks.

0
Reply
Dryfly
Dryfly
10 months ago
Reply to  Darwin

An SW200-1 in leaps and bounds above a 4r movement. A closer comparison would be to a 6r15. These SW-200-1 movements are very solid movements. You should “overhaul” (clean and lube) any mechanical movement every 5 years or so for longevity. IMO even if you don’t it will likely outlast you, but still you should have it done at some point.

0
Reply
Der Dicke
Der Dicke
1 year ago

This is a very excellent watch calibre, my watchfriends. See ya, enjoy this SW200-1, it’s an ace calibre, really so.

1
Reply
ioakim
ioakim
11 months ago

Watch industry has changed a lot. Why should i spend thousands of euros to buy an FC watch with an ETA 2824-2 caliber? My tissot heritage 1938 COSC has the same COSC caliber, same quality of craftsmanship and it only costed me 550 euros.
Since Chinahas become a communist country with a semi-capitalist economy, manufacturers have changed their policies.

2
Reply
Ed Teran
Ed Teran
7 months ago

Highlife Automatic Silver Dial

0
Reply
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