A simple demo using an Arduino and MAX7219 display modules, used are the modules you can find cheap on eBay. These modules have the matrix display mounted at 90 degrees to what most library's expect.
Yet to do is to complete this project as a C++ library, I just haven't had the time yet, but it’s on my list.
#Notes The demo was written for an Arduino but also works with a ESP8266. The only change is the GPIO connections and the SPI speed, see below.
SPI.setFrequency(15000000L); // Only needed for ESP8266, does not work with UNO
To set the size of the display or number of MAX7219 chips in the file MAX7219_Functions.h edit the following. #define Number_MAX7219 8 // Number of MAX7219 chips present
Demo Video of the Matrix clock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3AHPEftqeU
David