On March 16, 2024, Espoo's Watchkmaking School in Leppävaara organized an annual Kellokirppis, free of charge for visitors, and we were able to participate as sellers for the third time. The event had been expanded and there was more space than previous times. There were no less than twenty sales tables and the students of the watchmaking school had coffee and buns available.
The Watchamking School, which turns 80 this year, is a professional educational institution maintained by the Watchamking Foundation. Watchmakers, micromechanics and watch and jewelry sellers are trained there. The watchmaking school has a very good reputation as a high-quality educational institution also abroad, and professionals who have attended the school work in the watch industry in many different positions around the world. The organizer of the Kello Kirppis is the Finnish Watchmakers ry, and the proceeds from the sales tables are directed to the Kellosepäntaidon Foundation.
The sellers had brought interesting old watches for sale, ranging from specialties of the most valuable brands, to models of small manufacturers unknown to the general public. In addition to wristwatches, there were pocket watches and many spare parts for sale, from which visitors made valuable discoveries for their watch projects. Naturally, there were also a lot of tools on offer, with which hobbyists and watchmaking school students supplemented their workshops. In addition to watches, a wide variety of props of interest to watch enthusiasts were also sold, from watch boxes to signs and stands as well as watch books.
Well before eleven o'clock, eager enthusiasts had gathered in the lobby as a queue. After the doors opened, the premises filled up in an instant, and the the space was very crowded for the next three hours. There was a happy chatter from all sides, as enthusiasts and professionals in the watch industry met their friends and colleagues. The sale went well and everyone found something they liked.
Three hours passed in no time and the flea market had more visitors than last year. There is clearly a demand for such an event. Kellokirppis is a relaxed, down to earth event, where you can meet and chat with industry veterans and enthusiasts. And of course from the collector's point of view, to make rare finds. See you again next spring.
Check out the watchmaking school -> www.kelloseppakoulu.fi