Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Huang Zitao spotted wearing Richard Mille

Huang Zitao, the Chinese rapper and entrepreneur known professionally as Z.TAO, was recently spotted on the wrist of one of the most consequential single watches Richard Mille has ever produced: the RM057 Jackie Chan Blue Dragon Tourbillon, a confirmed piece unique with an estimated value of $1.2 million USD. In a market flooded with limited editions, a true one-of-one of this caliber commands an entirely different conversation.

The Richard Mille RM057 was developed in close partnership with Hong Kong action cinema icon Jackie Chan, making it one of the most culturally specific commissions in the Geneva manufacturer's history. The reference measures 50mm — large even by Richard Mille's characteristically bold standards — and is cased in 18k white gold. The bezel and dial surround are set with baguette-cut diamonds and baguette sapphires in a deep blue configuration, reinforcing the 'Blue Dragon' designation. At the heart of the watch sits a hand-wound tourbillon movement, skeletonized to expose the baseplate and bridges, which are elaborately decorated with a dragon and phoenix in raised relief — iconography deeply rooted in Chinese imperial and cultural tradition.

For collectors, the RM057 occupies a singular position. Richard Mille's Jackie Chan collaboration pieces are among the brand's most sought-after references, combining haute horlogerie technical credibility with narrative weight that resonates across both Eastern and Western markets. A piece unique version — meaning no other example exists — elevates this particular watch beyond the conventional collector calculus entirely. It is, in the truest sense, an unrepeatable object.

Huang Zitao's relationship with ultra-luxury goods is well documented. Since departing EXO and establishing himself as a solo artist and business figure in China's entertainment industry, he has consistently worn timepieces and fashion that signal cultural fluency alongside financial reach. The RM057 Blue Dragon Tourbillon, with its explicit Chinese iconography and staggering rarity, fits his public identity with unusual precision — this is not a generic flex but a symbolically coherent one.

On the market, Richard Mille RM057 Jackie Chan variants in more standard configurations already trade well above seven figures at auction. As a piece unique, this specific example sits outside conventional grey-market pricing frameworks — its value is ultimately what a single motivated buyer will pay, and comparable one-of-ones from Richard Mille have cleared $2 million USD at major auction houses in recent cycles.