TOURNEAU Welcomes Tony & Emmy Award Winning Actress Kristin Chenoweth To Share The First Kiss Under The World's Largest Mistletoe Ball, & The New Boys & Girls Choir Of Harlem For A Special Holiday Performance

NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TOURNEAU, America's leading watch retailer, celebrated its signature holiday tradition at its 510 Madison Concept Store in New York City with the "World's Largest Mistletoe Ball."  Joining this year's celebration was Tony and Emmy Award Winning Actress, Kristin Chenoweth, who shared the 'first kiss' under the mistletoe with a special secret guest – Santa Claus.  The renowned New Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem added to the festivities by giving their premiere performance of the season beneath New York City's newest holiday landmark.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121128/NY19985)

TOURNEAU is excited to warmly welcome shoppers and guests to share a kiss underneath the now iconic mistletoe ball, kicked off by favorite New Yorker, Kristin Chenoweth. The retailer will also unveil a new digital campaign to capture these "kiss cam" moments, which will then be woven into a digital quilt to be displayed in-store and on TOURNEAU's Facebook page. Users will then have the chance to win a 'his and hers' TOURNEAU watch from their TNY Series if their picture is chosen as the winner.

Suspended from the ceiling of the 3,000 square foot luxury retail space, the world's largest mistletoe ball measures an approximate 6 feet in diameter. "New York City is such a special place, especially during the holiday season," said TOURNEAU SVP of Retail, Larry Barkley.  "As a company, we wanted to create a destination for NYC locals and visitors alike to create a holiday memory to cherish over the years."  In the true spirit of the season, the luxury retailer is appreciative for the opportunity to give back to New York City by sponsoring the beloved local tradition, The New Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem. 

The use of mistletoe to celebrate holiday love dates back centuries.  It is referenced in ancient Norse mythology in stories of a goddess named Frigg, who declared the mistletoe plant to bring love into the world.  Worshipers then kissed under the mistletoe to show their obedience to the goddess.  Mistletoe is also referenced in ancient traditions originating from the Babylonian-Assyrian Empire. Centuries later the mystical plant shows up again in English literature, where young men would kiss women standing under the mistletoe, often as a promise of marriage.  It is first mentioned as a holiday tradition in 1820 by American author Washington Irving in his "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon."

About TOURNEAU
Established in 1900, TOURNEAU is the leading retailer of luxury watches in the United States, offering more than 100 world famous brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Omega, Breitling and Tag Heuer in more than 8,000 unique styles. The company's thirty plus stores also sell Certified Pre-Owned timepieces and watches under the TOURNEAU brand. Considered "the watch authority," TOURNEAU is known for its extensive selection and unparalleled customer service.

SOURCE TOURNEAU