The grandson of famous British writer Daphne du Maurier has launched his own watch brand – Du Maurier watches – in homage to his family legacy and his love of watchmaking.

Ned du Maurier Browning has launched the Swiss-made men’s and women’s timepieces as limited editions that will be sold exclusively through the Du Maurier site.

Du Maurier Maxim

Du Maurier Rebecca

The brand is said to revive “two of literature’s most memorable characters from the 1930s” by naming the watches after key du Maurier characters – Maxim, for the men’s model, and Rebecca, for the women’s timepiece. Both will be limited to 300 pieces, with their own serial numbers and lacquered wooden boxes.

Rebecca

Rebecca is a novel by English author Daphne du Maurier. When Rebecca was published in 1938, du Maurier became – much to her surprise – one of the most popular authors of the day. Rebecca is considered to be one of her best works. Much of the novel was written while she was staying in Alexandria, Egypt, where her husband was posted. The book was made into a successful movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Laurence Olivier as Maxim and Joan Fontaine as Rebecca in 1940.

Further Du Maurier models are currently in development, including the Sportsman – a collection for both men and women – and the Daphne and Traveller lines, the latter being a dual time zone watch.

While no information has been given about the movements of the models, the watches are said to have sapphire glass, rose gold details and diamonds, as can be seen on its women’s models. The watches will have a recommended retail price upwards of £450.