A continuous bubble‐rise‐velocity (BRV) viscometry method was developed for Newtonian fluids which is based upon the remote determination of the rise velocity of a helium bubble. The bubble rise velocity was remotely determined by using a helium‐leak detector to measure the rise time of a bubble passing through a constant distance. The density of the fluid was simultaneously obtained from differential pressure measurements in the bubble launch tubes. Empirical equations were developed which allow for calculation of the absolute viscosity and density from several remotely measurable variables: helium gas pressures in the bubble generation and launching system, liquid temperature, and helium concentrations at the liquid/air interface as a function of time. BRV viscometry results for highly viscous liquids (1 Pa s<viscosity <40 Pa s) correlated within ±10% with data obtained with capillary or rotational viscometers. An integrated probe was conceived for the on‐line monitoring of viscosity, density, temperature, and liquid level, especially in a hostile environment.