Rob you should get an 848. I think that the 848/1098/1198 are maybe the best looking bikes I have ever seen - certainly the most beautiful bikes in the modern style - the D16RR is real pretty too.
I just wrote the stuff all below and you're probably not gonna like it, and it makes my recommendation of the 848 seem strange, but they are just so damn sexy. I could look at one for ages and if I owned one - damn that would please me. Plus, you like Ducatis so it makes sense. Not exactly sure how much more an 848 is over a Japanese 600, but it could be worth it (if you like the V-Twin and style)
Not keen on sportbike Ducs before the current range though - not a fan of the look of your 749 Dark, not a fan of any of their 90s or 80s (no bikes looked good in the 80s) models either.
Keen on the 750 GT though - that is one of the best classic bike designs I've seen along with the CB750.
I think the problem with Ducatis is you are paying a huge premium for the name. They are better looking than their Japanese counterparts, but when it comes to performance, and especially value, they aren't any better, or are worse.
Throw up an 1198 against a CBR1000 or S1000R (yes I know it's German) on the track, and not only am I pretty sure that the Honda and BMW would be faster, I think they also would be better to ride. That isn't just speculation either - the reviews I have read have made it pretty hard to justify the extra coin for Ducatis based on performance alone let alone value. Once you start throwing around the maintenance costs (as Matra has so many times pointed out) - especially for the desmodromics, then they make even less sense.
Their appeal is they are sexy and Italian, and they charge a premium for this.
Unlike their brethren at Ferrari though, they don't really back it up with superior performance. The Japanese 4 and BMW can run with the best Ducati can put out - and as mentioned earlier, for cheaper!
Whatever though. Have you ridden a Japanese 600? Maybe consider one of those before you decide on another Duc.