I wouldn't pay $12,000, because it's a bad investment. But I would happily pay $12,000 for a guitar. I'm working towards it quickly, actually.
As for nitro vs. poly, I hate poly.
I loved my Duo Jet, but I didn't cry when I sold it because I knew it would never check.
I HATED selling my Les Paul Gem because it looked like this all over (I know I just posted it - bear with me):
Then again, I got 'The '38' when I sold the Gibby, and it's equally as checked.
And as I said in another thread, you don't get the wear and tear from playing. I can understand why not everyone likes this, but it's one of my very favorite things. On my old Melody Maker (also sold - man I loved it though!), there was finish missing on the back, the arm rest spot, a few other spots on the front, and even a chip missing from the neck where I bit into it while I was drunk. 
I don't think the solution is "all lacquer" because lots of people like poly. And since lacquer is more expensive to make, you should give people that option. But I think every guitar should be made in lacquer, with the poly option. But lacquer takes the precedence, and the majority of the market share. THat's the way to go.
Not to ruin the thread with my pictures, but I think it's too bad you can't do this with Anniversaries anymore:
