If I've understood the problem correctly, you could try the following.

1. Create the larger circle (position 0,0,0)

2. Create a smaller circle and position as required

3. Parent the smaller circle to the larger one

4. Select the small circle, activate the group tool and select all the small circle then select create prop. This should create a new small circle at the same postion as the first

5. Select the larger circle and rotate along the verticle axis by 30 degrees

6. The original smaller circle should also rotate

7. Repeat steps 4 - 6 until the dial is built.

Parent all the smaller circles to the main dial.