Frederique Constant Caliber FC303 Automatic Movement SW200

Frederique Constant Caliber FC-303

Frederique Constant Caliber FC303 Automatic Movement SW200

Manufacturer Frederique Constant
Caliber Number FC-303
Base Caliber SW200-1
Movement Type
Automatic, self-winding
Jewels
26
Vibrations Per Hour 28,800 bph, 4Hz
Power Reserve 38 hours
Shock Protection
Incabloc anti-shock device
Hacking? Yes
Hand-Windable?
Yes
Quick Date? Yes
Functions Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Country of Manufacture Switzerland
Known Models
Vintage Rally Healey, Classics Automatic (Add your watch 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.

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). Models with this movement which are COSC certified will usually have “Certified Chronometer Automatic” written across the dial.

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

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Bob
Bob
9 years ago

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

WOMW
WOMW
9 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Is the SW200-1 a higher grade maybe?

New Guy
New Guy
7 years ago

SW200-1 is the newer variation with small improvements.

Joanne
Joanne
7 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!

Fred
Fred
6 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

I like mine.

Richard
Richard
5 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.

Taylan
Taylan
2 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Is FC-303 self winding or manual winding?

Taylan
Taylan
2 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

Thanks a lot

Sidney Snyder
Sidney Snyder
5 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

Yes! Nothing but good luck with mine!!

USP40GUY
USP40GUY
4 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.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Joanne

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

Nick Dolin
Nick Dolin
6 years ago

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

trackback
Heads Up! I saw a Bargain here! (List place) -Thread #7 (2018) - Page 805
5 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: […]

Alex Popovich
Alex Popovich
4 years ago

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

WatchAdams
WatchAdams
4 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.

Gábor Bence
Gábor Bence
3 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”.

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 […]

Taylan
Taylan
2 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?

Taylan
Taylan
2 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.

Taylan
Taylan
2 years ago

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

Darwin
Darwin
1 year 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.

Dryfly
Dryfly
20 days 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.

Der Dicke
Der Dicke
11 months ago

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

ioakim
ioakim
26 days 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.

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