> Why are the glyphs circles? This could very well be a stylistic choice...
> but arranging numbers in a circle could (i assume) afford a puzzle-maker
> some degrees of freedom for playing around. So what comes in circles?

The circle is a simplistic way of representing infinity in finite terms. Mmmm.. paradox...

> 4) Compass: Maybe the numbers relate to each other in some spatial way.
> Like all N facing numbers add up, all S facing numbers add up, and so on.
> Or maybe there is a pattern of N, W, S, E between the dials or something.

Traversing. Using compass bearings to reach a destination. A bit rusty on this so bear with. Two ways to do this come to mind, you have x degrees and x measurement units, follow that and repeat, or X degrees and land marks.

Directions look something like this: 123° 36m, 46° 49m, etc.. or 192° to the rock shaped like a skull, 29° to the dead palm tree etc.. Useful? who knows at this point.

btw like the ARRIVAL pointing to numbers theory each has two hands like a clock.