Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Huang Zitao spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Huang Zitao, the Chinese rapper and entertainment personality who built a high-profile solo career following his departure from K-pop group EXO, was spotted wearing the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5327G-001 — a reference that sits firmly in the upper tier of the Geneva manufacture's classical complications lineup. For a celebrity known for bold sartorial choices, the choice of this restrained, intellectually driven timepiece is telling.

Introduced at Baselworld 2016, the Patek Philippe 5327G-001 represents a measured evolution of the perpetual calendar in the brand's Grand Complications family. The 38.5mm case in 18K white gold strikes a deliberately conservative silhouette, deferring to the dial rather than the architecture. That royal blue lacquered dial — applied with white gold applied hour markers and a moonphase aperture at 6 o'clock — delivers immediate visual impact while maintaining legibility. The date, day, month, and leap year indicator are arranged symmetrically across the dial in Patek's established classical layout.

Powering the 5327G is the Caliber 324 S Q, a self-winding movement beating at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. The perpetual calendar mechanism is programmed to account for the Gregorian calendar's irregular month lengths without requiring manual correction until February 28, 2100 — a practical virtue that complements the complication's aesthetic elegance. The movement is finished to Patek Philippe Seal standards, with Geneva stripes, beveled bridges, and a 22K gold rotor.

Among collectors, the 5327G occupies a respected position: it offers a genuine perpetual calendar in Patek's own manufacture movement at a case size that suits contemporary wrists without chasing modern trends. The royal blue dial variant particularly commands attention on the secondary market, where color-dialed perpetuals from Patek consistently outperform their more conservative counterparts.

Huang Zitao's affinity for high-end watches is well documented across his social media presence. Choosing the Patek Philippe 5327G-001 over flashier tourbillon or minute repeater references suggests a collector who values mechanical substance. At a retail price around $85,000 USD, the 5327G-001 trades above list on the grey market, reflecting sustained demand for blue-dialed perpetual calendars from Geneva's most storied independent manufacture.