WiFi module not working

I think the module is physically okay but I'm not sure about the firmware. A lot has changed in 2 years, for example I think the captive portal stuff was added since then. Do you have the means to re-program the module and the clock board with new firmware?

From what I can remember of the older firmware versions you had to connect to the module while it's being an AP and then browse to 192.168.4.1 with most any web browser. That would get you to a page (not sure about needing password here) with a few links across the top (which may be so small you can easily miss seeing them if using a phone) , one of which took you to a page where you had to type in the name (the SSID) and password of your network. It would then try to join your network and if it succeeded it would shut off it's AP (thus kicking you off). It would pick up an IP on your network from your AP/router and then you're kinda on your own to figure out what IP it got.

Once your device is back on your own network and you've figured out the IP of the clock you should be able to just browse to that IP and see the clock's web pages.

All-in-all the newer firmware would be the better way to go but you need to be able to compile code for ESP-01 and for Uno (must upgrade clock and WiFi at same time) and then upload it. That means you need Arduino IDE with the right board files for ESP and Uno. Also an Uno or clone with socketed CPU. Since the clock has no USB you pull out the chip and stick it in an Uno to program it. Also need the usual "dongle" device for programming ESPs.

New firmware is at:
bitbucket.org/isparkes/nixiefirmwarev2/src/master/
You'll need the "FirmwareV2" and "WifiTimeProviderESP8266" repos and probably "Libraries" too (depending on your existing Arduino IDE setup).

This is easily fixed. I'll email you in a few minutes.

This is a recurring theme - There's a fairly easy way of setting up a programmer if you have an Arduino laying around, or have one the $1 ESP modules (which are not quite programmers, but are pretty close), it's not hard when you know how. But that's the point - it's not really an obvious thing and you have to know how to go about it.

I'm thinking of offering programmers for the ESP and the 328P to try and enable people over this initial part of the problem, which is pulling the few bits of hardware together. Do you think that would have value?

If you run into a dead end on the programming, I can send you a new module, but that will be in January, as I have stopped for XMas now, and am in another part of the world from the office.