Santa, won't you bring me a 116610LV

[m j b]

For some reason, I've got it in my head that I'd really like one of these with the green dial. Green, green, green. My question is, when I can buy a new one at something like $9000 US retail, why are the (slightly) used ones selling for $7800 or so? I should be able to pick one up for 10% off, right? So why then do they keep their value so well? Is it just because they haven't been out for long?

Natch if I buy new I've got to pay sales tax, which puts me back at $8700 or so, so I'll likely buy used, but I'd really like to see a bigger discount. Even the 16610LV always seemed to bring a premium over a "normal" sub.

And on another thought... do people get a lot of Rolexes for Christmas? As such, can I expect to see a few on the resale market in January as people take their gifts to the pawn shop to get quick cash? I'm guessing that so many of the practically new watches being sold here on TRF were originally from people who got them as a gift but need the cash more than they need a fancy watch.

Or maybe I'm totally off-base. Thoughts?