Johann Martin (1642-1721) was born in Frankfurt am Main, and moved to Augsburg before 1669, when his marriage there is recorded. Described by Bobinger as probably the creator of the eight sided equinoctial sundial (p. 21), Martin was one of the finest dial makers in Augsburg, celebrated for the quality of the pieces that he produced - Syndram judges that: "Der hohe rang der Sonnenuhrproduktion Augsburgs im ausgehenden 17. und fast im gesamten 18.Jahrhundert geht gleichermaßen auf Johann Martin und Nikolaus Rugendas (III.) zurck." (p. 167). This is evident in the present example by the provision to track the changing magnetic variation (which was East of true North during the early 17th century, corresponded with true North circa 1650, and then moved West), the arrow engraved on the hour ring to enable the latitude arc to be aligned accurately, and the quality of the decorative engraving on the baseplate.