I think I will reply to all (especially to those that are not experienced with the D700 or the D4) with this statement...
The D700 was a very important camera in the Nikon line, that was totally different than the same FF price competition from both Sony (a900/850) or Canon (5dmkii), the camera had minimal functions (no video, much less resolution, less features) but instead, was faster than competition to work with, had surprising high image quality for the resolution, had the best LL performance than the competition and its image quality was based more in DR (especially high Iso DR) than resolving power... Obviously the people that trusted it, where more concerned on a different perspective of IQ than resolution as such and thought more of photography the traditional way (i.e. treating lighting better). OTOH, on film days and after EOS was introduced, Nikon had a base of customers that preferred a much more minimal aproach with their cameras and that was based on the most successful body design of all times, the FM/FE/FM2/FE2/FM3 design which was (and still serves) sold in many tenths of millions quantity wise and was kept in production for about 30 years (!!!!).
Additionally, the D4 sensor, (of which I am a proud user) is much better sensor, that reveals any current DSLR in IQ, with much better resolution and detail (than the already good in D700/D3) and absolutely TOP usable DR, along with the best LL current performance than any other camera in the market... (especially if high ISO DR, colour and detail is concerned)...
Hence, having a new camera design, that retains all the different D700 values than competition and enhances further the minimality of the D700 design is, 1. A real D700 replacement with much market appeal... 2. A camera that addresses to the "traditional values" of photography, when people wanted total control over the camera to "build" their image and serve an existing crowed of people that are annoyed by (what they find) "overspecification" on their cameras....
I understand that it's difficult for a Canon user to understand this, even the ones that have used Canon FD bodies, but definitely, ...even when A1 and FE where in the market, Nikon seemed to address more to the knowledgeable photographer than Canon... Hence, now that Nikon has the D800 and D610 (which can compete very well with what is the "Canon tradition").... It seems very wise from Nikon not to abandon this different (and not at all negligible) market... Especially if they have no competition for having such a marketing choice...
P.S. A "digital Nikkormat"... YES! wooooow! ...An SLR Leica M9!!! (triple woooow)! ...let them have the aperture ring back to the lenses and provide it with a split image focusing screen!