I wonder if we are looking at another Flight 401 scenario.
(The flight crew becoming preoccupied with a burnt-out landing gear indicator light and failed to notice the autopilot had inadvertently been disconnected. As a result, the flight gradually lost altitude and eventually crashed while the crew was distracted with the indicator problem.)
My experience from "tapes" and "round dials" is that "round dials" don't require you to read the numbers. The angle of the needle is enough.
With you 100% on that one RVDT.