Dream House | Time stands still at Barnes Hill villa tied to late Rolex MD

Long ago, man devised an instrument to tell time, using the sun and the shadows cast by it. The instrument was called a sundial.

One hundred and eight years ago, the traditional pocket watch (with chain attached) would metamorphose into a revolutionary Swiss-made timepiece, simple enough to wear on the hand. That timepiece was a Rolex wristwatch. In the fullness of time, it would become the largest luxury watch brand in the world, synonymous with success, and worn by some of the richest and most famous people on the face of the Earth.

When he was not sailing the high seas and the oceans on his luxury yacht, the late chief executive and managing director of Rolex also vacationed at his private dream house in a most exclusive address just outside of Montego Bay, in Sandy Bay, Hanover.

His peerless, ultra-luxurious villa on five acres, is ensconced up on Barnes Hill, a former Taino burial ground. From way up here, you are transfixed by the humbling sight of the sea, and the 18-hole golf course in proximity.

The expensively finished and decorated, multi-peaked, shingle-roofed residence of a whopping 10,000 square-foot of living space, is architecturally elevated with an entrance gazebo, opening into the foyer and unobtrusive powder room.

The mahogany wood-floor living room resonates with a high tray ceiling, furnished completely in white upholstered sofas and armchairs, with its own knockout glass-wall, glass ceiling wet bar. Another bar not far away, offers more drinking pleasure. The formal dining room, also in wood flooring, features a 16-seater dining table. Both rooms open to the expansive seaview terrace in wicker seating, abutting the travertine stone deck, blue mosaic-tiled swimming pool, and outdoor shower.

The double, European-styled kitchen whets your appetite with its own impressive multi-bottle wine cellar leading from it.

We can’t ignore the home theatre, the media room, or the office, adding to the rapturous areas of content.

The six heavenly bedrooms are always in eye contact with the sea, outfitted with a medley of walk-in closets, mirrored walls and private patios, uniquely grouped in individual settings within the carefully landscaped grounds. The seven bathrooms, some in white marble, are a mix of walk-in showers, soaking tubs, double vanity basins, and dressing rooms.

There are a further four bedrooms for staff, with a complement of two butlers, a chef, two housekeepers, laundress and two gardeners.

This property doesn’t exist in unchecked imagination. It is tangible in its tropical style offering. Here, time does seem to stand still!

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.